Tixier goes MXGP with KRT Kawasaki in 2016!
It turns out the rumours were true! Jordi Tixier the 2014 MX2 world champion will join factory Kawasaki in 2016 in the MXGP class.
Kawasaki have released the following statement:
Current MX2 FIM World Champion Jordi Tixier will remain faithful to Kawasaki for his move to the MXGP class in 2016 after signing with the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team.
For his transfer to the MXGP class as he will turn 23 in November Jordi Tixier will continue his successfull career in Green. Moving to the Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team last winter after claiming the world title in 2014, the likeable Frenchman battled the heat in the early rounds of the series, but then rebounded dramatically to claim a succession of podiums to haul himself back to the top of the class. Now in contention for another top three series ranking in his final season racing the MX2 World Championship, Jordi will commit himself to this goal without any distraction during the last seven rounds of the series as he has already secured his future after signing with KRT for next season.
Jordi Tixier: “This season Kawasaki offered me a good opportunity to join the team, and it’s a great pleasure for me to stay involved with the brand for my move to the MXGP class. I signed with the factory Kawasaki Racing Team; I know that I will have the full support from the factory and I’m sure we’ll do a great job together. I like to work on long time projects so staying with Kawasaki and Monster Energy was for sure the best option for me amongst all the offers that I received. I have had only one racing experience on a 450 in the past, last year at the Paris Lille Supercross, and I had fun on this bike; I’m sure that with a strong winter training alongside such experienced people as KRT team members I will be ready for this new challenge.”
Thierry Chizat Suzzoni (team owner, Kawasaki Racing Team): “We start now to built next season, and we’re very happy to confirm Jordi will be with us for the next two MXGP campaigns. We have been watching him for two years already, and as he joined Kawasaki for the MX2 World Championship this season it was easier to start talking together early. We are very confident that his smart riding style will suit perfectly to the new 450 Kawasaki and he’s physically strong for MXGP. He will have no stress next season as we signed a two year deal; he will have time to show what he can do and I’m sure that he will claim many podiums.”
Steve Guttridge (racing manager, Kawasaki Motors Europe): “We appreciated Jordi joining the Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team as World Champion this year and he has, as a champion, proven to be an asset to the team. With the age limit for MX2 set at 23 years of age he has to move up to MXGP class at the end of this season and so Kawasaki are very happy that Jordi opted to stay Green and move up into the Kawasaki Racing Team for 2016! He will enter the next stage of his career with us in the factory team and on an all-new KX450F-SR which I’m sure will give Jordi every opportunity to claim another World Championship red plate in the future!”
Jean Jacques Luisetti (team owner, Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team): “Luckily Jordi will stay in Green next year; it’s a very good move for Kawasaki. It’s good to see our riders staying with the brand, even if they have to change classes. Now Jordi knows where he will go next year, so he can stay focused on achieving the deserved ranking in the 2015 MX2 World Championship.”
