2018 KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team Revealed
Equipped with KTM machinery and factory support, five youthful racers will be Ready to Race at the front of the pack this year, benefiting from the Austrian brand’s domestic development program that has proven immensely successful since its inception in Australia.
Returning to the team for a third-straight season will be current Australian 125cc 13-U15 Years motocross champion Regan Duffy, the 15-year-old Western Australian has gone from strength-to-strength with KTM backing. He will be aboard the KTM 125 SX and KTM 250 SX-F this season, eager to excel in both categories.
Regan Duffy saying, “This year will be my third with the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team, so I well and truly know what’s going on within the team and I believe they’re the best out there. I’ve gotten a lot stronger in the off-season and I feel like this year will be a year that I can win a lot of races, so hopefully, it all comes together for me.”
The team will also continue with New South Wales-based Blake Fox, 13, who started by capturing the Australian Supercross Championship in the 85cc division last year. He also finished third on the KTM 85 SX in the Mini Lites BW 12-U14 Years motocross title but will focus on the KTM 125 SX and KTM 250 SX-F this year for what will be his second term with the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team.
Blake Fox explaining, “Everybody at KTM has been helping us out and I look forward to another year with them. I really want to win for the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team and to make the most of this opportunity. I’ve been preparing on the bigger bikes, so it’s been good and I’m definitely loving it.”
Back to full strength after injury affected his 2017 campaign, capable young North Queenslander Deegan Mancinelli is on-track for a successful season and will split his time between the KTM 85 SX BW and KTM 125 SX. He has been working hard in the pre-season and is confident of a strong second year with KTM.
“I’m really excited to have KTM Australia behind me and I just can’t wait to start racing to show the work that I have put in this year,” said Deegan Mancinelli. I’ve been training a lot and love being part of the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team, the bikes are amazing and I’m really happy.”
Jett Burgess-Stevens has established himself as one of the finest up and comers in the sport after taking the Australian Mini Lites SW 9-U12 Years motocross championship last year. The 12-year-old Tasmanian is a welcome addition to KTM’s junior development squad for this year, riding the KTM 85 SX BW as part of the official team.
Jett Burgess-Stevens adding, “I love the bike, it feels really good and I can’t wait for the rest of the year. Everything has been going really well so far, so I will try my best for the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team and hope to get the best results possible this season.”
Queenslander Jet Alsop joins the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team in 2018 and is set for another stellar year at just 11 years of age. As the reigning Australian 65cc 9-U11 Years motocross champion coming off of a hugely-successful last season, he will ride the KTM 65 SX and KTM 85 SX SW this year in a progression of his young career.
Newcomer to the team Jet Alsop saying, “I’m really excited to be racing for the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team this season. Throughout the years I’ve always looked up to the boys on this team and it’s just a real honour to be part of it now. The 2018 KTM 85 SX is an awesome machine, I’ve been training hard and I’m looking forward to kicking things off and hopefully get some great results.”
The KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team will once again be aligned with KTM Australia’s factory racing partners, including Motorex, Troy Lee Designs, Dunlop and Kustom MX. KTM PowerParts and KTM PowerWear will also be heavily involved with all five riders making up the team.
Tam Paul – Brand Manager, KTM Australia concluding, “It’s a five-rider team for 2018 and that’s really based on having the right riders available. Within those riders, we have four current Australian champions across motocross and supercross. Regan Duffy is in his third year with the team and we’re really excited to have him back again. Blake Fox has stepped up to the bigger bikes in his second year with the team, once again a really exciting rider.
“Deegan Mancinelli will also be in his second year with us, definitely one of the elite riders out there after some injuries last year and we really believe in him. Two new riders that we are excited to bring on are Jett Burgess-Stevens from Tasmania, as well as Jet Alsop, who is our baby on the team, so to speak. Each of them are extremely talented young riders who we are proud to have part of the KTM Motocross Racing Team, so we look forward to working closely with them and their families.”