Jonathan ‘JR’ Richardson Joins Ossa
By TMX Archives on 23rd Jan 13
Jonathan Richardson has joined Ossa Motos UK with support from the factory in Spain for 2013. He was under contract on a two year term to the Montesa UK importers Pidcocks but he had a difficult 2012 season which kept him off the factory supported machine apart from a single event which was the Scott time and observation trial in October. He suffered a severe knee injury in Spain whilst training in the early part of last season but returned after major surgery to his damaged right knee to take a superb fourth place in the tough event proving his fitness and more importantly that the damaged knee was well on its way to recovery.
Nigel Birkett – Ossa Motos UK Ltd: "For the 2013 season Ossa Motos UK have enlisted the services of 21 year old Yorkshire starlet Jonathan Richardson to ride all British Championship events, The Scottish Six Days, Scott and Lakes Two Day Trial. He will also compete in other selected events including UK national and centre events on the Ossa TR280i. We will prepare and fit factory supplied parts to the machine. His sponsors for the 2013 season will be Putoline Oils, Dunlop Tyres, Rainer Boots, Rittratosport Clothing, Acorn Industrial Services, Mike Smith - Mial Coachbuilders and Malcolm Tennant - MHT Technology. We will announce more sponsors shortly”.
"He will also compete in the Junior World Championship which starts with the first event in Japan in April and for these events he will have at his disposal a special factory prepared Ossa TR300i. He will ride as part of the factory team with support from them at each round”.
"Jonathan has had a rough time over the last twelve months after damaging his knee in early season testing in 2012 with Montesa and I hope his injury is now well behind him and he can get back on track in trials. I believe he has the ability and determination to get back on form and further his career. He deserves a break this year and we will do our best to support and help him get there. He will join our other 2013 team riders who will be John Crinson and Southerner Andy Blackman”.
"Although Jonathan had an agreement with Pidcock Montesa for 2013 he spoke with Director Chris Pidcock who agreed to release him early to allow him to make the move to Ossa. I would personally like to thank Chris for this gesture and wish him well in the future” he concluded
Jonathan Richardson: "This last year has been one of immense frustration for my-self, Chris Pidcock and the Montesa team. The 2012 season promised so much but had finished before it had begun when a small accident in practice with World Trials Champion Tony Bou resulted in a career threatening injury to my right knee which could have left me with a permanent disability. The recovery and relevant operations were very frustrating but everyone at Montesa in Spain and at Pidcocks supported me 100% with this process and I will be eternally grateful to them for that and in particular Chris and Pat Pidcock. I personally would like to thank Chris for his enthusiasm and support in what was also a tough year for him as he him-self fought serious health issues, we remain very good friends”.
"I am very happy to be joining the team at Ossa both here in the UK and in Spain and would like to thank Nigel and June Birkett for making this superb opportunity happen. In 2013 and my main goal is to be competitive in the Junior World Trials Championship and to challenge for wins. In the UK I will aim to help Ossa Motos become established as a brand and help promote the product. Tomorrow (Thursday) I will be collecting a new Ossa TR280i which I will begin practicing on and hopefully making my UK debut very shortly. I will be training both here and in Spain for the new season”.
