Who's on the move... Watson won't defend MX2 title!
By Sean Lawless on 2nd Nov 17
British Motocross Championship Ben Watson
After co-operation between the teams, a number of the sports biggest names were released early from their contracts which traditionally run until the end of October so they could show off their new colours on the Saturday at Stoneleigh Park.
The most sweeping changes are to the ASA Hitachi KTM UK and Buildbase Honda teams two of the largest presences in the paddock who have both shed all their riders.
Roger Magees KTM team has released Jake Nicholls, Josiah Natzke and Ben Watson and for next year lines up with 2017 Maxxis MX1 champion Graeme Irwin and former factory Husqvarna rider Conrad Mewse.
Buildbase Honda has replaced Irwin with Nicholls in MX1 and, with Martin Barr switching to REVO Husqvarna UK next year, Dave Thorpe has signed Natzke to head up his teams MX2 effort.
Im very excited, said Thorpe. Weve won the Maxxis this year and we want to continue to win it and Jake is one of the few people out there who is capable so we were really pleased to be able to sign him.
With Josiah, to be honest, I was really surprised that he became available.
As soon as I started to talk to him it was a no-brainer. Hes 18 years old, hes only going to get faster and were really looking forward to working with him.
Barr joins Mel Pocock and Dylan Woodcock on Mark Yates REVO Husqvarna UK team with the trio contesting the full EMX250 series and Maxxis MX2 championship.
Im really looking forward to 2018, said Yates. Were stepping up our game again next year well have a much bigger presence in the paddock with a lot more investment in the team.
Its very exciting to be doing the full European series and having a good go at it with three riders Im confident we can do well. There are no team orders both Martin and Mel are capable of winning the British championship for us.
Watson wont defend his Maxxis MX2 title next year after signing a GP-only deal with Kemea Yamaha.
