ROCKSTAR ENERGY SUZUKI SIGNS COLDENHOFF

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#ROCKSTAR ENERGY #SUZUKI SIGNS #COLDENHOFF


Team Suzuki Press Office - September 5.

The Grand Prix of Benelux this weekend will be the final step for the current structure of the Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe motocross effort with the German crew set to undergo revised organisation for 2014 and a future that will see Dutch rider Glenn Coldenhoff ride the RM-Z250.

The renewed initiative for next season will see Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe retain its name and continue with exciting and excellent potential in FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship racing and the European EMX125 and EMX85 categories with RM-Z250 and RM125 and RM85 motorcycles. And the technical set-up will enjoy increased co-operation with GRP (Geboers Racing Promotions) to carry forth the 'factory backed' label outside of the MX1 class.

To tackle the future in MX2 at Grand Prix level the team are pleased to be able to count on the services of Dutch talent Coldenhoff, recent winner of the British Grand Prix and a rider who has burst to prominence with his first podiums and pole positions in 2013. He will be backed-up by Belgian Julien Lieber, who has recovered from a knee ligament injury, and will head into the off-season 100% fit to prepare effectively for the 18-round 2014 term.

Alongside in MX2 will be Swiss racer Jeremy Seewer; who will extend his long association with Suzuki. Seewer (pictured), who has made several impressive wild-card appearances in Grand Prix in 2012 and 2013, is still in contention for the European EMX250 title this season - the last outing coming this weekend at Lierop - and has won two of the seven rounds to-date. The EMX250 contest is the feeder class to Grand Prix and is run as part of the support programme at FIM World Championship events. It is on this beneficial European platform for development and evolution that Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe will again support the teenage forces of Brian Hsu (owner of a podium finish in EMX125 in just his first campaign on the larger bike this year) and Italian 85 champion Gianluca Facchetti on the RM85.

"To continue our project in the best way and to maintain Suzuki's presence at the top level in several important racing categories, this was a great move and I'm happy we could do it with the great support of Rockstar Energy, Bischof Logistik and Ortema," said Team Manager Thomas Ramsbacher. "We are pleased that Glenn has seen what we want to achieve with our MX2 programme and that we can field racers like Julien, Jeremy, Brian and Gianluca as they go on with their career development with decent results so far. Overall we can look very optimistically to the future."

The sand of Lierop will be a capable stage for current rider Max Anstie to sign-off his tenure with the team and bag some overdue silverware this weekend. The Brit celebrated a podium appearance at the same circuit in 2012 and his technical ability is a formidable asset on the shifting and incredibly bumpy terrain. Seewer faces a crucial decider in the EMX250 competition and needs to score 13 points more than Valentin Guillod to deny his countryman the title. Jorge Zaragoza will also close his season on the RM-Z250 and Hsu will hope to confirm a final top-10 position in the EMX125 standings and needs just two points to make it into the lead group.

European EMX250 Championship Standings (after 7 of 8 rounds): 1. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 164 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe),), 152 p.; 3. Damon Graulus (BEL, KTM), 116 p.; 4. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 89 p.; 5. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), 68 p.; 14. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, Suzuki), 34 p.

European EMX125 Championship Standings (after 7 of 8 rounds): 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 193 points; 2. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Yamaha), 153 p.; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), 143 p.; 4. Anton Lundgren (SWE, KTM), 134 p.; 5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KTM), 128 p.; 6. Frederik Van Der Vlist (NED, Yamaha), 112 p.; 7. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 72 p.; 8. Kade Tinkler (CAN, Suzuki), 72 p.; 9. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, Yamaha), 63 p.; 10. Riccardo Righi (ITA, KTM), 62 p.; 11. Brian Hsu (GER, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 60 p.