Roger DeCoster retires as KTM team boss.
The American Belgian, Roger DeCoster, is saying goodbye as team boss at KTM. However, that does not mean that the now 74-year-old multiple champion is retiring.
Roger DeCoster, who managed to collect around ten Belgian titles, five world titles and four AMA Outdoors titles during his active career as a motocross pilot, started his team manager career immediately after his active career at Honda in 1980. After successful collaboration and titles with pilots such as David Bailey, Rick Johnson, Jean-Michel Bayle,... the visions diverged too far in 1995 and Suzuki brought in “The Man”. He also brings the same success there. He helped the team win its first AMA Motocross title in 18 years with Greg Albertyn in 1999. After that, the Belgian also got the godchild Travis Pastrana under his wing and in 2005 a certain Ricky Carmichael signed for the team. This, together with the passage of AMA Outdoor title winning Chad Reed and the launch of Ryan Dungey, makes for a very good time at Suzuki for the smallest brand in the industry. After 2010, however, he closed the door behind him on Suzuki, rumors say because the Japanese only wanted to give the then 67-year-old "old" man contract extensions of one year.
KTM sees its opportunity. Until then, the Austrian brand has only achieved good results in the motocross world championship. In America the results take a long time, but an outlier from Nathan Ramsey, Josh Hansen or Mike Alessi should not be taken too narrowly. Roger DeCoster becomes the man in the right place. With his knowledge of what is different between European motocross and American motocross and supercross, he is once again guiding a brand to success. One year after Roger DeCoster's departure from Suzuki, his partner Ryan Dungey is also closing the door there. His confidence in “The Man” is so great that he wants to sign with a brand that has never won in the 450cc class. With Ryan Dungey and 250cc pilots Marvin Musquin and Ken Roczen, Roger DeCoster not only won competitions in 2012, but also the trust of other pilots who previously no longer wanted to compete for the brand. After one year of hard work, the train is already very solid on the rails, a train that has been running well to date. KTM has now outsourced the 250cc team to the former Troy Lee Designs Honda team. In the 450 class they will try again next season with Marvin Musquin and his brand new teammate Cooper Webb to make it as difficult as possible for Eli Tomac for the titles.
Who will replace Roger DeCoster now and what will he do?!
Now we especially praise what our compatriot has achieved. The question now is of course what position he will have within KTM if he is no longer team manager. He is being promoted and will now be responsible for everything that happens in the field of Motorsports at KTM and sister company Husqvarna in North America. The official title is: “Motorsports Director KTM/Husqvarna North America”. DeCoster will therefore have a more strategic and advisory role in the future. This is about how both brands should and can profile themselves in motorsports.
The man who will take Roger DeCoster's place is Ian Harrison (Photo). This should come as no surprise, Ian Harrison has been one of “The Man's” confidantes for years. Both met when Roger DeCoster was team manager at the Suzuki team and Ian Harrison was hired there as a mechanic for Greg Albertyn's engines. In 2010, both gentlemen simultaneously left Suzuki for the adventure at KTM.
Text: Matthias Van Eeckhoven – Photo: KTM Images
Also to read
The Husky boys about their race in Lugo
The super fast sixth MXGP was held in Lugo, in the center of Spain. Lucas Coenen was able to take his first win of the season while Mattia Guadagnini collected valuable points with…VIDEO: Andrea Verona and Josep Garcia dominate in Romania
The 3rd GP of the Enduro World Championship was held this weekend in Romania. Andrea Verona and Josep Garcia shared the victories. Steve Holcombe put his Honda on the…A medical update from sidecarcrosser Jason Vandaele
After the second series of the Grand Prix sidecar cross in Heerde, Jason Vandaele had to go to the hospital for a medical check-up. There was a broken rib, two fractures to his eye socket...Dano Verstraten breaks tibia and fibula
Last week Dano Verstraten fell during training. The Brabander broke his tibia and fibula. As a result, the season of the 12-year-old cross rider is over prematurely. …
Your reactions