KTM Seats still up for grabs
By John Dickinson on 13th Sep 17
Motocross Graeme Irwin Todd Kellett Adam Sterry Tommy Searle Eddie Jay Wade Darian Sanayei
The final line-up at Hitachi KTM UK is still not finalised.
Expect a five-rider team with Graeme Irwin in MXGP and defending his Maxxis title, Conrad Mewse and one other in MX2, Todd Kellett in EMX250 and - in the first year of a five-year contract direct with Mattighofen - world 85cc champion Eddie Jay Wade in the European 125s.
All should race a full Maxxisseason with the exception of Wade who will initially give priority to the Spanish 125cc series. Engines will come direct from Mattighofen.
Steve Dixon confirmed that Tommy Searle and Darian Sanayei will run out of the DRT awning next year.
"Kawasaki Motors Europe have given me a budget for Tommy in MXGP and Darian in MX2," he said. "I may also run a second MX2 rider but that is still open."
Other moves are strictly hush-hush at the moment but Ben Watson is now certain to contest his final race for Hitachi KTM at this weekend's French GP.
His contract extends to the end of October but the Nottingham lad will miss Weston this year and take up his ride alongside Seva Brylyakov and Jago Geerts at Kemea Yamaha from November 1.
For contractual reasons the deal will not be officially confirmed until that date.
Yamaha's MXGP support team Wilvo are also expected to run three riders in 2018 with Benoit Paturel favourite to join Shaun Simpson and Arnaud Tonus, leaving Evgeny Bobryshev still out in the cold.
Adam Sterry was in Assen looking for a ride and was speaking to various teams from the UK and the continent.
