Finally official: Romain Febvre to KRT
The Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team announced today that it has signed ex-MXGP world champion Romain Febvre (27). Febvre signed a multi-year agreement with the French-Dutch team.
Next season, KRT will bring in two proven and experienced riders with Febvre and the Belgian Clément Desalle. Although Desalle and Febvre both had a difficult season with injuries, they undoubtedly remain established names in the premier class.
In his rookie season in 2015, Romain Febvre was crowned MXGP World Champion and has ridden to podium results every year since joining the MXGP category. Despite missing 1/3 season in 2018 due to injuries, he claimed five GP podiums with a double victory in the Czech Republic, winning four motos, taking four pole positions, leading ninety laps and setting the fastest lap five times. With his competition experience, he will form a perfect twin spearhead alongside Desalle.
The Belgian enters his fifth season with the team and has formed a perfect relationship with both the bike and the team members, who are more excited than ever to work with both riders. Clément has now recovered from his injury and will start testing soon, while Romain will have to wait a few more weeks to recover from a broken leg suffered during the Swedish round of the World Championship.
Romain Febvre: “We're turning to a new page, but the book is still open and I'm starting a new adventure! I am very happy with this choice. It's never easy to change after five years in the same team, but I'm sure this is the best time to do it. My injury this season will delay my first few days with the team, but I will be even more motivated later this winter when I can get back on the bike! Everyone in the team is highly motivated and I can't wait to get started with the team. As for my injury, of course it takes a long time, but everything is going as planned by the medical staff. I will soon have the first examination six weeks after the operation, we will see how the femur is and we will make our plans for the rehabilitation. I will take a longer winter break than usual, but patience is the only option and I don't want to be in danger at any stage. I can then start testing in good conditions and open this new chapter in my career well. The team is behind me 100%, they have a lot of racing experience and I am sure we will achieve great things together.”
Thierry Chizat Suzzoni: “We are very happy to welcome Romain to the team alongside Clément. Both have a lot of experience and I am confident that they will join forces to work together and get the best out of our Kawasaki. We know that Romain always gives 100% and we confidently expect that both he and Clément will put the engine at the front of the field. It gives us great satisfaction to see one of this season's GP winners so enthusiastic. We are convinced that the new KX450, which we have carefully developed since the end of last year, has enormous potential. It is a winning bike and we now have two GP winners in the team to show that to the world.”
Steve Guttridge: “This will be an exciting chapter in both the teams and Kawasaki's MXGP history. We are doing everything possible for KRT for 2020, so now that Clément is joined by Romain, we believe we are ready to seriously fight for the title.”
Photos: Ray Archer
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