Musical saddles - ALL change!
By TMX Archives on 5th Nov 10
2011 is going to herald the biggest switch of top class British riders and machines that we have seen for a long time - and this weekend has seen the start - with Alexz Wigg being snapped-up by Malcolm Rathmell Sport to ride Sherco in British and World Championship events, with factory backing. That's a fact.
Michael Brown has not re-signed with MRS Sherco - that is also a fact - Wiggy has effectively taken his place, so it stands to reason that Michael is on the market. What follows next is intelligent speculation based on insider knowledge. The hot money is that Michael will head-up John Shirt's Gas Gas squad, again with factory assistance, while James Dabill is heavily tipped to move to Beta. On the face of it there is a seat going there as current Beta jockey Jeroni Fajardo will be Ossa-mounted in 2011.
For various reasons it is all a bit messy. There has of course been much on-line speculation over the last few weeks, some hilarious, some positively dangerous and some obviously utilising insider knowledge. But when it all pans out by all means refer back to the above.
Due to rider contracts running until December 31 it is not expected to see any of the riders appear on their new mounts (should they be swtching!)until January 1 BUT, because the 2011 World Indoor Trials series kicks-off this month, November 27, T+MX understands that several factory bosses are planning to get together to see if they can agree on early release so that riders can turn-out on their new mounts.
Whether this will happen is anyone's guess - but it would tidy-up the series which gets messy when a rider wins a series having ridden two makes of machine.
There is an even bigger signing sitting in the wings, maybe as early as next week, don't miss it...