KTM brings in Smets and Coldenhoff
A few days ago we already looked at Yamaha's plans for 2016 with you. We came to the conclusion that the 'Blue boys' seem to be doing more than well with Romain Febvre, Jeremy Van Horebeek and Valentin Guillod as MXGP pilots and Brent Vandoninck, Benoit Paturel, Aleksandr Tonkov and Julien Lieber as MX2 pilots. All spread over various teams such as Yamaha Rinaldi, Standing Construct and KEMEA.
Now we take a closer look at KTM. The Austrian manufacturer is not having the best 2015 season. In Lommel we noted that Tony Cairoli, Tommy Searle and Ken De Dycker had their entire MXGP line-up in disarray. In addition, Jeffrey Herlings, the leader of the Orange MX2 brigade, experiences a sad deja-vu. Just like in 2014, the Dutchman injured himself, while he was comfortably in the lead in the World Cup and a title seemed almost certain. But where a fractured femur last season decided otherwise, a dislocated hip now throws a spanner in the works. For the second year in a row, the Dutchman eluded the title. But last year Jordi Tixier came along as a lifesaver for KTM. Now, Stefan Everts poulain, Pauls Jonass is one of the few KTM pilots still standing and he keeps the hope of a world title in the MX2 class alive for the Red Bull-sponsored team. A 2015 season, which was disastrous due to injuries, could still end on a somewhat positive note for the Beirer boys. But it is clear that reinforcements are welcome in the MXGP class to fight alongside Tony Cairoli.
That reinforcement seems to come in the figure of Glenn Coldenhoff. The young man who managed to win the Kegums Grand Prix in his first MXGP season this year did not receive a contract extension with the Suzuki team. KTM then acted and attracted GC259 to them. It seems that with the arrival of Glenn Coldenhoff, both Tommy Searle and Ken De Dycker will be allowed to step up. Both are having a disastrous year and are far outside the top ten of the World Cup standings.
The one who will make the switch from Suzuki to KTM is Joel Smets. Due to the fact that the Suzuki ship will most likely soon be piloted by the Vaesen-Everts tandem, there was no room for multiple world champion Joel Smets. Pit Beirer took advantage of this opening to bring in the man with experience. Joel Smets will operate within KTM as 'KTM Motocross Factory Racing Sports Director'.
These are the biggest changes in the pipeline at the Austrian manufacturer. In the MX2 class it would continue to count on multiple champion Jeffrey Herlings. The Dutch superstar will have Pauls Jonass and Davy Pootjes at his side. In the MXGP class under the 'De Carli Racing' tent we will find Glenn Coldenhoff and Antonio Cairoli. All supported by Joel Smets who returns to the Dutch team.
Text: Matthias Van Eeckhoven – Photos: KTM Images
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