Ryan Nitzen | December 15, 2022
Last night we attended the team introduction for the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing Team. The event was held at the TLD headquarters in Corona, California where the store’s showroom also reopened to the public. The team’s lineup is the same for the 2023 with Justin Barcia on the 450, Pierce Brown on 250 West, and Michael Mosiman on 250 East. New roles for the team include Max Lee being appointed to team manager and Olly Stone moving to the position of crew chief.
Scroll through to see interviews, photos, and the full press release.
Justin Barcia’s new GasGas MC 450F Factory Edition was on display. Photos: Ryan Nitzen
The bike gets a new frame and engine, similar to the new-gen KTM and Husqvarna.
The Troy Lee team always has cool, unique sponsors – Sony Pictures, Puma, Gran Turismo, and more.
Another look. What’s your take on the new plastics?
The new MC 250F’s of Pierce Brown (33) and Michael Mosiman (31).
A closer look at Mosiman’s set up.
The 250’s are all-new for ’23 and will likely be GasGas’s production model in ’24.
Max Lee got bumped up to Team Manager with Olly Stone being the team’s Crew Chief.
Polaris is a team sponsor and their TLD Edition General XP was parked out front.
Moving inside, we saw the 2023 TLD Moto lineup.
All in favor of this setup for A1?
Some cool moto history inside the TLD showroom.
Supermoto memories.
Press Release
With the all-new 2023 MC 450F Factory Edition and MC 250F Factory Edition bikes, and a new face at the helm of our team, GASGAS Factory Racing is on the gas for a third season of SX/MX racing in the U.S.! Proudly welcoming Max Lee on-board as the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager, our returning three-rider lineup of Justin Barcia, Michael Mosiman and Pierce Brown are fired up for more in 2023.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Justin Barcia is back on the hunt for a 450 title this season, racing aboard the all-new MC 450F Factory Edition in 2023. Charging his way to six podium finishes in the 2022 AMA Supercross Championship, Barcia heads into the new season with his eyes on the prize in the 31-race SuperMotocross World Championship.
Justin Barcia is the team captain in the 450 class. Photo: GasGas
We’re stoked to welcome back two heavy hitters in the 250 division as Michael Mosiman and Pierce Brown return to action aboard the all-new MC 250F Factory Edition. As a three-year veteran on the team, Mosiman is well-versed in the 250 class. Coming off his first career Supercross win in San Diego last season, the Northern California native is ready to stake claim atop the podium with a consistent season ahead.
Also returning for year three with the squad is Utah native Pierce Brown, the third-place finisher in the 2022 250SX Eastern Championship. Brown ended the season on a high note with two consecutive podium finishes and he looks to build upon that momentum as the gate drops for a new year of racing.
Troy Lee (left) and son / new team manager, Max Lee. Photo GasGas
Justin Barcia: “I’m so amped for this upcoming season, we’ve got more races with more opportunities to win! I’m excited about our new bike and going racing with my wife and baby boy it’s going to be a fun season!”
Michael Mosiman: “With the added three rounds of the SMX, I think it will be very important to stay consistent and to come into each round fresh – mentally and physically. I’m looking forward to the new season.”
Michael Mosiman. Photo: GasGas
Pierce Brown: “I’m stoked for the 2023 season coming up. I feel really good and I’m loving the new bike! Excited to go racing.”
Pierce Brown. Photo: GasGas
With longtime SX/MX Team Manager Tyler Keefe taking on a more strategic role as Troy Lee Designs’ Director of Motorsports, GASGAS Factory Racing is excited to welcome Max Lee as Team Manager, along with Oliver “Olly” Stone as Crew Chief.
By leveraging his years of experience in motorsport management, Keefe will continue working closely with the team to prepare for a successful race season in 2023 and beyond. With an extensive background with Troy Lee Designs, Max Lee will step into the role of Team Manager, overseeing the team and commercial responsibilities. As Crew Chief, “Olly” Stone will take on a more comprehensive technical role, overseeing the day-to-day operations of testing and preparing the bikes for racing.
Max Lee, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager: “I would like to thank Roger De Coster, Tyler Keefe, my father [Troy Lee], and everyone else who has guided me and given me this opportunity. Words cannot express how excited I am to work full-time for the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing team, it is a dream come true for me and my family. I am thankful to be surrounded by great people and I’m looking forward to an amazing season with this team.”
Troy Lee: “Beginning with our very first 250 team to building the TLD/GASGAS 450 and 250 team to what it is today, I would like to express great thanks to Tyler Keefe for his 11 years of hard work and success, and we look forward to his contributions as Troy Lee Designs Motorsports Director in the next chapter of his professional career. I’m also really stoked to have Max Lee as Team Manager of the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing team. It’s a very proud moment for me and I know this new leadership team is going to help a lot in his guidance.
It’s going to be an exciting season in 2023 with three world-class riders returning to the lineup. Everyone has been putting in the work and the new Factory Edition bikes are looking good! We can’t wait to get the season kicked off at A1!”
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