Honda stops European 150 Championship
As part of its new motocross strategy, Honda has decided to end the 150 European Championship. Just as the all-new CRF250R was launched, Honda will focus on supporting the EMX250 and MX2.
Although the Honda 150 European Championship was successful in introducing young riders between the ages of 11 and 14 from all over the world to a professional career, Honda has now chosen to switch gears. The program started in 2013 and has produced wonderful races over the years. All riders rode the same Honda CRF150R, which only increased the competitive spirit.
This year the Honda 150 European Championship winner Andrew Adam the latest in a long list of distinguished 'alumni' who have made their way in international competition including Tim Edberg, Jere Haavisto, Viking Lindstrom, Rick Elzinga, Emil Weckman, Hakon Fredrikson, Alberto Forato en Shana van der Vlist.
The discontinuation of Honda's 150 European Championship after five successful seasons is part of a change in strategy that strengthens Honda's support for the EMX250 and MX2 championships. The increased investment in the 250 class race is an example of how Honda is committed to continuing to support emerging talent in motocross.
Honda would like to thank all the riders, their families and our sponsors and partners over the years who have helped make the 150 European Championship a success.
Gordon Crockard – Off-road Manager, Honda Motor Europe
“I am proud that we provided such a fantastic opportunity for young riders with the Honda European 150 Championship. I can only imagine how amazing it must be that they could race in front of a global audience on the same MXGP tracks as their heroes on the same day!
It was great to be able to guide the riders, parents and mechanics during their races. That's why I want to thank everyone who contributed to this. I remember many emotional moments. We shared both victories and defeats together with the riders. A highlight was certainly seeing the riders make progress, even after competing in the Honda 150 European Championship. This year we saw a good example of this with the former 150 winner Albert Forato, who achieved success for Honda racing by winning EMX250 races this season. I also have great admiration for it Shana van der Vlist, who previously rode in the 150 championship. Shana has finished 2th and 8th in the WMX over the past 10 years. Although she is still very young!
Honda will continue to invest in the future stars of motocross. We will strengthen our support in EMX250 and MX2 where we will come out with the all-new 2018 CRF250R. That new engine is designed to provide ultimate performance. In this way we give our supported teams and drivers the best chance of success. I would also like to thank all the sponsors and partners of the Honda 150 Championship who have provided equipment and technical support to Honda over the past 5 years. A special thanks goes to Gerry Bryce And his Race days team of employees for all the hard work over the past 5 years, which has allowed Honda to build a great championship.”
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