Monster Energy CLS Kawasaki focuses on '15 engine
The CLS team concluded the 2014 season last weekend at the Supercross Paris-Lille with Jordi Tixier and Dylan Ferrandis, who represented the French team at Europe's largest indoor winter event. Now the focus is entirely on the 2015 tests for the team. According to Team Manager Harrie Van Hout, important developments will be made on the 2015 engines, specifically on the KX250F to get even more power from the quarter-liter engine. According to the CLS boss, Kawasaki has already played an important role in the performance of Ferrandis, who has already taken some podium places and followed that with the MXON success. They also helped Arnaud Tonus to Grand Prix victory and took the lead of the MX2 World Championship at the beginning of the season.
“One of the strongest points of the motorcycle is its agility. KTM is the leading brand because they have supplied several champions over the years. But still, I think we have made a big step forward with the frame, which is slightly better than the KTM,” he says. “We are already close with the engine. We were top on some circuits and KTM on others. We need a bike that is at the front from the start and that means 90% of the race at the moment.
Overall, the machine took Ferrandis to fourth in the 2014 final standings and Tonus to sixth with no major changes. A big contrast to reigning champions who are currently actively testing the 2016 pre-production material for the MX2 and MXGP. “It's quite a lot that will remain the same, I think,” Van Hout noted. “As mentioned, we have some new engine parts that we will use next season, but in general everything remains somewhat the same. WP also has a new suspension and front fork for us and our rider has already tested it and was very satisfied with it.”
Van Hout and CLS were able to benefit from the presence and feedback of world champion Jordi Tixier, who had been riding KTM technology for half a decade. They will now only focus on the MX2 class, because Tommy Searle has now also left CLS after riding the KX450F for two seasons in the MXGP class. “It certainly becomes easier to have to focus on one class rather than two.” Says the Dutchman. “It means less testing and less development. Now we just have to concentrate on the 250.”
“It's a very special thing to have a guy on your team who is a world champion, but he's very easy to work with.” He adds. “It is not that difficult for us because Jordi knows what he wants. He is a perfectionist. All three drivers have different styles, but he is really not super special with his wishes. We already found a basic set-up that he felt good with and we are continuing to work with this and it is not that different from the two other riders.”
Text: Adam Wheeler – OTOR
Photo: CDS
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