Team Green have confirmed that the Kawasaki Racing Team/Team Kawasaki Europe will continue to be the manufacturer’s flagship entry in the MX1 Motocross World Championship for 2008 despite the sad and untimely passing of Team Manager Jan de Groot in June.

The Dutch-based two rider squad, armed with works KX450F-SRs, will be helmed by Martin Van Genderen and continues its activities with the blessing of team co-owner Ellen de Groot and the full backing of Kawasaki. Slight restructuring of Team Green in the FIM World Championship means the Team GPKR will also field for 2008 season two riders in the premier MX1 category, as well as maintaining their commitment to an entry in the Women’s World Cup.

MX2 responsibilities fall squarely into the hands of Molson Kawasaki, with a three rider effort steering their KX250Fs, and also with presence in the Women’s World Cup. Support will be provided to the French CLS set-up that will concentrate solely on MX2 for 2008.

With two teams per class Kawasaki feel that both machines are aptly represented and the chances of success remain at an optimum. From the ten rounds run in the 2007 FIM World Championship to-date Kawasaki are one of only two manufacturers to have tasted victory in both MX1 and MX2. At Sugo in Japan and recently at Faenza Italy the firm enjoyed a clean sweep of both categories.

The teams are in the process of confirming their riders for next season and a further communication will be issued shortly.

“Since the sad loss of our factory Team Manager, Mr Jan de Groot, there has been a lot of speculation at the Grand Prix and within the media as to what will happen to our motocross teams for next year,” explains Kawasaki’s Race Coordinator Steve Guttridge. “Of course we want to do the best thing for Team Kawasaki Europe, its riders, the staff and their families. Jan had made certain that the team has a solid infrastructure and professional set-up and we would like to keep that situation. Under the management of Jan’s wife, Mrs Ellen de Groot and Race Manager Mr Martin Van Genderen the squad have the capability to fulfil the MX1 slot again for 2008 as the factory team.”

“We prefer our teams to focus on just one class so that they can specialise in the development of that particular machine and their rider’s needs,” he continued. “For this reason GPKR have been upgraded to a factory support team that can focus on MX1. For sure the riders from both teams will be capable of MX1 GP victories on their KX450F's.”

“For MX2 the Molson Kawasaki Racing team will continue to maintain the same high standards as a factory MX2 team with the likes of Team CLS now focusing their attentions solely on our KX250F in support,” he added. “This will ensure that we have a big presence and aim for the best possible results in both classes for 2008. We look forward to announcing our rider line-ups very soon.”