With the 2011 Supercross season getting closer, our designteam has been putting in extra hours to ensure that our race teams have thebest looking bikes on the starting line. This is a busy time of year as the teams are finalizing riders,sponsors, and designs for the motorcycles. Monster Energy Kawasaki team manager, Mike Fisher spent sometime in our design department today and helped us put the finishing touches onthe 2011 KXF450 factory bike.
This is your fifth season with ONE Industries and you are here todayfinalizing the designs for your 2011 Monster Energy/Kawasaki race team bikes. What can fans expect to see as the bikes roll out at Anaheim 1?
The bikes have an edgier designthis year that incorporates a hint of blue. The color blue is in the Kawasakiheritage from the late 70’s and early 80’s. In fact, our 1979 factory bikes hada blue frame. Of course everyoneremembers purple and pink in the 90’s, but bringing back the blue will add adifferent element to the race bike and will also make it’s way onto theproduction bikes.
It was a tough break for your team last year as Ryan Villopoto gotinjured at the peak of the Supercross season. How has his training andriding been going lately, and how is he looking for 2011?
Ryan is further ahead now than hehas ever been. He’s realized thathe wasn’t prepared in seasons past and is very dedicated to his new program. Each year he has played catch up whenthe series started. For 2009, Ryanwas on a new bike and he ended up over training and getting sick which resultedin him having to sit out for a month. This past year, he went into the series a little unprepared again andpretty much raced himself into shape. The interesting thing about Ryan is he is an excellent racer. He might not set the fastest times inpractice, but when he is in race mode he is on it. Right now his conditioning is far greater than it’s everbeen. He has everything figuredout from his training, to his diet and rest, everything. He looks awesome and we are excited tosee the results.
You’ve recruited Jake Weimer as the up and coming rookie on the 450. Jake has proved himself as a champion in the 250 class. What are your expectations for him ashe moves to the big bike this year?
We all know Jake is an amazing250 rider, but he has really impressed me on the 450. For a rookie on a 450 he has a very smooth, calm ridingstyle that really works well. Mostguys are a little erratic when they first get on the 450, but Tater looks greaton the bike.
As usual, there have been some big changes throughout the “sillyseason”, but your team seems to be in a strong position with the return of RyanVillopoto and the addition of one of the top prospects for the 450 class inJake Weimer. What are your goals for the team in 2011?
We’ve looked at all of our notes for Supercross over thepast seasons and put together a plan that will suit both Jake and Ryan. Our crew has analyzed all the data frompast races, addressed any existing issues, and taken this time off to reallyprepare for next year. Of coursethe season didn’t go as planned this year, but the one advantage we’ve had isadditional time to prepare for next year. Our machine shop is even running at full speed now so we are able tomake adjustments to different parts on the bike during testing without anydelay. We are going into theseason without a single issue. Ourteam is 100% solid.
