Australia’s Todd Waters will move up to the MXGP class with Husqvarna and will be joined by one of the team’s newcomer Max Nagl. Photography Husqvarna Images
Husqvarna Motorcycles announced its official line up of riders for the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship.
Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing will again represent the brand in the MXGP category with Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing contesting the MX2 class.
The Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing will be made up of newcomer Max Nagl of Germany and returning Todd Waters of Australia. Nagl, who won five MXGP races in 2014, has signed a two-year deal with the team to ride the Husky FC 450.
After an injury filled season in 2014 in the MX2 division, Waters will move up to the MXGP class.
Great Britain’s Nathan Watson will also compete in the MXGP class for Husky at all European rounds of the series.
After focusing solely on the MX2 World Championship, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing—managed by former 500cc Motocross World Champion Jacky Martens—will see a revised structure for 2015. The team—while continuing to act as Husqvarna’s factory representative in the MX2 category with Aleksandr Tonkov—will also field Australian Dean Ferris as a supported rider in the MXGP category.
Further strengthening Husqvarna’s presence within the MXGP paddock, Ricci Racing will receive official Husqvarna support for 2015 with riders Rui Goncalves (MXGP), Christopher Valente (MX2), Michael Ivanov (MX2) and Filippo Zonta (EMX125).
Antti Pyrhönen (Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager), said, “I’m looking forward to the new season ahead. It’s great to have Max as part of our team for 2015. He’s extremely professional in everything he does and I believe that we can offer him exactly everything he needs to bring Husqvarna to the very top of MXGP. It’s great to see Todd back riding again. He’s very focused on the year ahead and will be exciting to watch. Finally we’re very pleased to bring Nathan onboard for 2015. He showed excellent potential during his 2014 performances with us. It’ll be good to see him develop as a rider next year.”
Jacky Martens (Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager), said, “With Aleksandr racing in MX2 and Dean competing in MXGP as a supported rider, 2015 is already looking very exciting for us. Aleksandr has a lot of fighting spirit on the track and is ready to step things up. We are also very pleased to provide Dean the opportunity to stay in MXGP with Husqvarna. We believe he can fight for the podium.’’
“It’s always exciting to embark on a new chapter in racing and I’m very much looking forward to joining Husqvarna and Red Bull IceOne Racing for 2015,” said Nagl. “They are a very passionate and hard working group of people and like myself are focused on winning races. Ending the 2014 MXGP season on a high with race wins and podium results has given me a great boost of confidence heading into the winter. I know that the championship will be tough next year—the competition will be tight. Also we have six overseas races to contend with—but I believe that we can do a very good job.”
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity of staying in MXGP for 2015 that both Wilvo Nestaan and Husqvarna have given me,” Ferris said. “I really enjoyed my return to MXGP in 2014 and it’s fantastic to know that it will continue. The Wilvo Nestaan team are very enthusiastic and motivated for the year ahead and I know that with the FC 350 we can achieve great results.”
