HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK are pleased to confirm that they have agreed terms with Kevin Strijbos to compete in the 2012 MX1 World Motocross Championships on board the successful 350SX-F machine.
As a measure of confidence in the team and rider, full factory support with engines and WP suspension will be provided for Kevin’s maiden season for the Austrian marque. Strijbos will also compete in British championship events as well as selected races in his native Belgium.
The arrival of the Belgian in the British team marks an important new phase for the crew with the 26-year-old GP winner having finished as runner-up in the FIM MX1 world championship in 2006 and 2007.
“I’m really excited to ride on the SX350F with the factory enginesand suspension in 2012,” says Strijbos who finished fourth at the final round of the 2011 season in Italy. “I know that I can do really well in theGPs next year as my results at the end of 2011 have shown. I have justhad a minor knee operation and will commence my training again in sixweeks time. I am really disappointed in not being able to come toHawkstoneParktoday [for the final round of the British championship] butmy doctor has advised against travelling for the next few weeks”.
Team HM Plant Red Bull KTM UK owner Roger Magee commented: “I am really pleased to have agreed terms with Kevin for the 2012 motocross season. His ability and professionalism has impressed me for many years and I feel that the team can look forward to more visits to the podium next year with the key additional factory support that is necessary to compete at this level in world motocross. To have a former GP winner in the team has been a great boost to all of the personnel – especially as Kevin won the last MXGP to be held in Northern Ireland at Moneyglass in 2007! My thanks also to Kevin’s manager Koen Monu for the professional manner in which our negotiations were conducted.”
Managing Director of KTM UK, Shaun Sisterson: “We at KTM UK are extremely pleased to have a rider of Kevin Strijbos’ ability in the team for 2012. The factory support that he will receive from KTM will hopefully assist him to win at the highest level on the 350SX-F. There were a number of riders in contention for the MX1 offer of factory support but we felt that Kevin was the most suitable to fulfil our aspirations.”
