At the start of this week, MXGP’s Kawasaki Racing Team announced an extension to their technical partnership with tyre manufacturer Dunlop.
The two parties started working together in 2012, helping to push forward the development of Dunlop’s popular Geomax range alongside their top-level riders.
After six very successful years, and with 11 MXGP wins under their belts, the deal has been extended for a further three years until the end of the 2020 season.
Next season Belgian rider Clement Desalle will be joined by his fellow countryman Julien Lieber, who moves up to the premier class after several strong showings in MX2 in recent years.
“We are delighted that Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team has chosen Dunlop for another three seasons,” stated Wim Van Achter, motorcycle racing manager, EMEA at Dunlop. “We are proud to have helped them achieve some great victories in the last six years and we share the same ambition to win the MXGP World Championship. They will benefit from our latest Dunlop Geomax range which includes the MX3S for softer terrain, MX52 for medium terrain and the recently introduced MX12, designed for sand and mud conditions”
“We are pleased to renew our partnership with Dunlop for another three years,” adds team manager François Lemariey. “By seeing their product quality, development plans and the people involved from tyre fitter to top management, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team can only be satisfied to work with such a good partner. In racing, we are always looking for best performance possible, Dunlop has the same philosophy, that’s how you build team victories”
Unveiled just a couple of months ago, the new Geomax MX-12 offers improved performance in both mud and sand thanks to an optimised profile and tread pattern. New V-Block Technology from Dunlop increases traction on corner exit, with a larger contact patch also giving better stability under braking.
Next year’s MXGP season kicks off in Argentina in March, although no doubt the two partners will be embroiled in plenty of pre-season testing ahead of then.
You can view Dunlop’s motocross range here.
