2013 Motorex KTM motocross team revealed

Motorex KTM's all-new MX1 spearhead is Todd Waters, who was runner-up in last year's Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals with Motul Pirelli Suzuki. Stepping up from the MX2 class to join Waters is Kirk Gibbs, who is also switching teams for 2013, formerly with Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing.

Complementing the new riders is a vivid new team look, which comes courtesy of new generation KTM 450SX-Fs and KTM's 2013 'Power Wear' rider clothing range.

New faces, new bikes and new gear make for a new chapter in the history of KTM Australia's racing arm this year. Additionally, the team will move back in-house for the first time in three years, after JDR ended their team management role.

"The new in-house strategy," said General Manager Jeff Leisk, "was a logical step with KTM increasing its range of products in terms of Power Wear technical and casual gear and Power Parts components. These are first rate products - top quality stuff, so it was natural for us to want our premier teams using them. We'll see a lot more dealers committing to it and stocking it this year and that can only be good for our customers.

The team will be under new but very familiar management; the pair guided by one of the most respected champion-builders in the business, long-time KTM stalwart Rob Twyerould, with the experienced hands of Danny Apro as Crew Chief.

"It's a very exciting time for the Motorex KTM Racing Team," said Twyerould. "We've got Todd who is sure to be one of the major contenders this year coming back to KTM where he's spent so many years, and Kirk making his first step up to MX1 which is very exciting for him and all of us. It should be a vintage year for Australian motocross in terms of the depth of talent with anywhere up to ten guys capable of pulling a race win.

"We've got a really good group of people involved this year and we're definitely in with a shot - it could be a very good year."

Motorex KTM Racing Team
MX1 Rider - Todd Waters #47
MX1 Rider - Kirk Gibbs #5
Team Manager - Rob Twyerould
Crew Chief - Danny Apro
Team Mechanics - Kyle Blunden, Ryan Deckert

TODD WATERS - #47
At just 22, Waters came agonizingly close to a first MX1 championship last year when he powered to the round victory ahead of eventual winner Josh Coppins in the final round. Despite finishing opnly 11 points adrift of the champion, Waters is a long way from satisfied.

"I want to be the best in the world and that starts with being the best in Australia," said Waters. "Naturally everyone wants to win but for me the focus is on being consistently fast and eliminating the bad weekend.

"KTM was the dream team back in the Marmont days and Robbie T was the manager who was behind so many championships, but when I first came to KTM it was just as he left the race team job, so it's been a dream of mine for so long to work with him. For myself, my trainer and my family to achieve this feels pretty cool."

KIRK GIBBS - #5
Gibbs, who finished fifth in last year's MX2 standings, eagerly looks forward to joining the premier class, and is excited by the challenge of a new bike, a new team and a new level of racing.

"I've wanted to get into MX1 for a few years - I'm a bit bigger and I've always had to eat less to be competitive on the Lites. It feels great now I've got heaps of energy and I'm looking forward to this year. I want to run top-five everywhere I go and I'm in a great team on an unreal bike. I thought the KTM 450SX-F would take a long time get used to after all the years on Japanese bikes, but I feel at home, and like I can push 100% so I'm starting to do that."

For more information on KTM motorcycles visit www.ktm.com.au