Xavier Boog joins Tyla Rattray in the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team at the MXGP of Great Britain, as the Frenchman deputises for Ryan Villopoto who is still suffering from his back injury.

Boog, leader of the French Elite series and ninth at the recent MXGP of Spain on the Monster Energy Bud Racing Kawasaki, has ridden the majority of his career on green bikes and claimed his best results with KRT, finishing seventh in the FIM MX1 World Motocross Championship from 2010 to 2012. Following injuries in the last two seasons, the likeable Frenchman has conducted mainly a national programme with Bud Racing this year, but he also took the opportunity to race a couple of GPs before the start of the French Supercross season later in the summer.

Team Monster Energy Bud Racing Kawasaki and the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team reached an agreement this week, and Xavier will contest the GP of Great Britain this weekend and the French round of the FIM MXGP World Championship next week on the KX450F-SR Kawasaki.

Advertisement

Xavier Boog: “It’s great to be back with Monster KRT for a couple of GPs, even if I still need to ride the factory Kawasaki to get used to it. We had two days of testing this week, working mainly on the suspension settings, but we have many practice sessions on Saturday to be ready for the GP. It’s great to start this collaboration here in Matterley Basin, one of the best tracks of the season, and of course I hope to be even more acquainted with the bike for the next round at Villars as it’s like a home GP for me ! For sure I will have some pressure racing on a factory bike, but that’s not a problem. I’d like to thank the Bud Racing staff as they understood that it was a great chance for me and let me move for these two events to KRT.”

Thierry Chizat Suzzoni, Team owner: “It was important for us and all our partners to line up two riders for the next GPs, and when Ryan informed us that he could not race the GP of Great Britain we spoke with Bud Racing and Xavier to find a solution for this GP and the next one in France. Of course we know Xavier very well as he spent three seasons with us, and we’re happy to welcome him back. He spent two days with the team this week and he knows the Kawasaki as he raced the French series with Kawasaki; he had yet to experience the new suspension and engine but we’re sure that he will adapt easily to our bike. We are happy to see once again that there is a good cooperation between Bud and KRT; both teams want to give their best for Kawasaki.”

Steve Guttridge, Racing Manager for Kawasaki Motors Europe: “I’m very happy to welcome Xavier back to KRTE. We thank Monster Energy Bud Racing for the great job they are making already with him this season. He’s a class rider !”