Searle moves to MX1 with CLS Kawasaki
By Alex Hodgkinson on 22nd Aug 12
Tommy Searle will remain faithful to Team Floride Kawasaki Monster Energy Pro Circuit as he moves up to the premier MX1 GP class next year at the age of twenty-three.
After recording the thirteenth win of his GP career last Sunday on home soil at Matterley Basin, Tommy is now the third most successful British GP rider of all time, headed only by the legendary Jeff Smith and Dave Thorpe in the all-time winners' list. Since returning to the World Championship after two years racing in America Tommy has been a leading contender for the MX2 world title during the last two years winning no less than thirteen motos and seven GPs, including five this season.
At the Motocross of Nations in France last year Tommy showed everyone that he can also achieve top results on a 450F, and this year again at the sandy track of Lommel he will lead Great Britain on a KX450F-SR Kawasaki. It will also be his first preparation for the 2013 season, as Tommy signed a two years deal at the weekend to move to the MX1 class with his current Team Floride Kawasaki Monster Energy Pro Circuit. The team will be based alongside the MX2 team in the Netherlands, under the guidance of team owner Jean Jacques Luisetti and race technician Harry Nolte.
Tommy Searle: "I'm really happy to continue racing with Kawasaki; I spent a lot of my amateur career with them and we have been together again for two years. I really like the KX450F-SR and it was a big decision for me; I've been stressed during the last couple of days as it was an important decision in my career. I like the team, but for sure we need to continue to advance as the battle will be even tougher in the MX1 class but I trust everyone in the team and for sure we will get great results. I expect to be fighting for the win every weekend; it will be my first experience in the class but we'll have all winter to work hard and be ready for the first GP.”
Steve Guttridge, European Race Planning Manager: "Keeping Tommy with Kawasaki as he moves up into the MX1 class next season and for the longer term on the new KX450F has always been our clear ambition. After growing up with Kawasaki racing for our Team Green squad, we introduced him to MX GP and brought him back from the US with our CLS team to fight for the MX2 title over the past two seasons and we have developed a good chemistry. Kawasaki likes Tommy and Tommy likes Kawasaki! He has respect for the team and their efforts to put him on the top and overall he loves riding his KX bikes. He's grown into a great professional who gives 100% effort every time he races. Kawasaki is fully motivated to be the best in Motocross and dream of winning the MX1 title. Just watching Tommy rides the KX450F I'm sure our dreams will come true really soon!"
Jean Jacques Luisetti, team owner: "Tommy had an option with us for 2013 and I was sure of his decision, because he told me several times throughout the season that he wanted to stay with us. We had to fix several details, as Tommy wanted to check everything before moving to a new class; it's easy to understand, as for a rider going in the main class is always a big step in a career. The great new is that Kawasaki Heavy Industry will provide us with the factory parts and technical support which we need and will rank Tommy as a factory rider in our team. Tommy was strong last year at the MX of Nations, but we don't want to be too optimistic and our goal will be a top five for 2013; we have signed a two years deal with an option for 2015, so Tommy will have time to show his potential in the MX1 class.”
