MX1 for Shaun with LS Honda
By TMX Archives on 1st Oct 10
SHAUN Simpson, Britain's highest placed contender in the 2010 FIM Motocross World Championship confirmed on Tuesday that he will contest the 2011 season as an MX1 rider for the Belgian-based LS Honda squad after having recently agreed terms with the officially supported team.
Simpson (22), who could have remained in the MX2 division for one more year, has instead taken the decision to move to the premier class ahead of schedule.
The young Scot is no stranger to the bigger capacity machine having already spent many hours training on a 450 and having raced an MX1 bike at last year's MX of Nations as well as in the British championship with a good level of success on both occasions.
The highly respected LS team has quickly risen to prominence in more recent seasons and will be one of only two officially supported Honda teams at World Championship level in 2011.
The team has reached a three-year agreement with the giant Japanese manufacturer. With the likes of Clement Desalle, Tanel Leok and Davide Guarneri having already represented the LS Honda team, the Belgian squad will boast what is probably it's strongest line-up to date with Simpson joining the highly experienced Ken de Dycker in their focussed two-rider team.
With preparations already underway for the 2011 season, Shaun will continue to benefit from the services of his younger brother, Stefan, who will also join the team to act as race mechanic.
Simpson's priority next season will be to firmly establish himself among the front runners of the elite class as he looks to reconfirm the talent that took him to the 2008 British title and to number four in the World during the same 12-month period before suffering two injury blighted years as a factory MX2 rider.
In addition to a full MX1 Grand Prix campaign, Simpson will almost certainly contest the full series of the highly competitive Belgian championship plus selected events on the UK domestic scene.
Said Shaun: "Its really great to have a new challenge and something that will give me fresh motivation.
"I am excited at moving to the MX1 class and to joining the LS Honda team. Over the last few seasons I think they have proved that they can put together a good bike and have the right team set-up to fight even at the highest level.
"I am confident that I will surprise a few people next season, as I feel very comfortable on the bigger bike and perhaps it suits my size and style better than the MX2 bike did.
"The last couple of seasons have been tough, I lost most of 2009 due to a major injury that was no fault of my own and then this year after working so hard to get back to full fitness I have suffered a series of smaller but equally frustrating setbacks.
"I'd like to thank KTM for giving me the opportunity and I would like to say a special thank you to Pit Beirer for his continued faith in me even during the most difficult times
"While the past two years were never in the plan, I have never lost my ambition to be World Champion.
"As a result of what has happened over the last couple of seasons, I believe I have become a stronger person and that I am now better equipped for the challenges that lie ahead.
"From my experiences I am now more clear about what I need personally to get the job done and with LS Honda I am looking forward to a great season together.”
Steven Lettani, LS Motors Honda team owner, said: "We are really excited about our rider line up for 2011! Especially because both Shaun and Ken were on top of our wish-list.
"We didn't need to compromise. Shaun needs little introduction, he's fast, professional and has a good attitude. The MX1 class will be new for him, but we feel that he has a lot to offer.
His riding style suits the CRF450R perfectly and Shaun is keen to show the world what he is made of after the difficulties encountered this year.”
Roger Harvey, for Honda Motor Europe, said: "It is great news to see Shaun joining Honda again. I have watched throughout his career and know what he is capable of. I think he will make a good big bike rider and LS is capable of providing him a Honda that will give him what he needs.”