Ben Watson alongside Romain Febvre at Kawasaki Racing Team
Kawasaki confirmed today that Ben Watson (24) will be Romain Febvre's new teammate next season. Together with the Frenchman, he will help put the renewed Kawasaki Racing Team on the map in the MXGP.
Ben Watson, considered one of the most promising British youngsters in recent years, had a solid MXGP rookie season with the Yamaha MXGP factory team this summer.
He gradually gained more experience in the premier class and ended his season with individual gold during the Motocross of Nations. Watson ultimately missed out on the top ten in the MXGP final standings by a few points, but he finished in the top ten in no fewer than ten motos with fifth place overall as his best result at the Dutch GP in Oss.
The twenty-four-year-old Briton first appeared on the international stage when he competed in the European Championship as a ten-year-old and won his very first race in 65cc. He also made an early impression on large motorcycles. For example, Nahtan Watson's younger brother finished fifth in the EMX2014 in 250 and won the world-famous Enduropale of Le Touquet in the Junior class.
He finished in the top five of the MX2018 World Championship in both 2020 and 2. In the closing stages of that final season, he proved his ability on all surfaces with GP victories at two completely different circuits: Lommel in Belgium and Pietramurata in Italy, before switching to MXGP in 2021.
Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki Motors Europe Racing Manager: “It was a difficult decision to work with the project leaders in Japan to determine who should ultimately take the second seat in our MXGP team. We have a clear focus on Romain to challenge for the title, but the future is coming quickly and a younger teammate who can grow with the MXGP program is also very important. The Romain and Ben duo already have a close bond as they have often trained together in the past and Ben has already had a solid rookie season in the MXGP. That switch requires a large additional learning curve for riders just coming from MX2. Within the Kawasaki Racing Team we believe that the staff can help Ben take the next step in his career in 2022.”
Ben Watson: “I'm really looking forward to this new start. I've ridden other brands almost all my life and Kawasaki is a bike I've never ridden. This fresh start with new colors is definitely something I need at this stage of my career. I've had some ups and downs during my MXGP rookie season this year, but I think I've proven on several occasions like the Nations and several other GPs that I have what it takes to be at the front. I was just missing (still) a few things. But I'm now joining a group of guys and a bike that I really think will help me. I'm really looking forward to getting on the KX450-SR. The plan is to get used to the bike before Christmas; to get a feel for the handling, power delivery and to figure out a few little things like saddle height, handlebar position etc. I'm looking forward to working with Romain and the whole team and I think this is exactly what I need to take the next step. It's going to be a tough few months leading up to the opening GP at Matterley in February, but wow, what a start to my Kawasaki career at the home GP with all the British fans cheering me on! “
Photos: Bavo silents
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