Josh Gilbert has signed to race Husqvarnas in the world MX2 championship next season after joining the Par Homes RFX team whihc has changed from KTM.
Managed by former British champion Neil Prince, the team will attack the ACU British Motocross Championship, as well as taking up the challenge at MX2 FIM World Championship European rounds and the hugely popular EMX Championship throughout 2020.
Fresh to the team for 2020 is former Honda rider and MX Nationals MX2 title holder Josh Gilbert, who will be riding the championship winning Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 250. After finishing third behind a pair of Husqvarnas in the 2019 ACU British Motocross Championship, 22-year-old Gilbert will be competing to secure the title in 2020, as well as racing in the European rounds of the MX2 FIM World Motocross Championship.
Joining Gilbert on the Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 250 will be 2019 MXY2 British Champion Joel Rizzi. For domestic duties, Rizzi graduates to the MX2 class of the ACU British Motocross Championship and will be exciting to watch from the very first race. 15-year-old Rizzi will also switch to two-stroke weaponry to compete again the EMX 125 championship on the Husqvarna Motorcycles TC 125.
Nathan Dixon also returns to the team for 2020 after an injury cut his 2019 season short. Dixon will race the Husqvarna Motorcycles FC 450 in both the MX1 class of the ACU British Motocross Championship and the new EMX OPEN championship. Charlie Putnam makes his return to the team for 2020 where he will be racing the TC 250. Putnam also had an early end to his 2019 season with a wrist injury. Finally, Tomos Wright will be competing in the British Youth class on a TC 125.
Further announcements for the Par Homes RFX team will follow shortly, when it’s believed for British MX1 champ Evgeny Bobryshev will be announced as ther MX1 rider in the UK and world championship. The Russian has won British titles for Honda and Suzuki, both times in teams run by Neil Prince..
Josh Gilbert – PAR Homes RFX Husqvarna
“I’m really looking forward to the 2020 season! I’m so happy that PAR Homes RFX Husqvarna have given me this opportunity to race MXGP World MX2 Championship and British Championship. With a good winter’s preparation behind us I feel we can come into 2020 strong and get decent results.”
Neil Prince – Team Manager PAR Homes RFX Husqvarna
“I am really happy that Husqvarna Motorcycles UK have stepped up to help us for 2020 I have wanted to work with the brand for a number of years now and it feels good to finally be able too. For us next year is a new challenge, with a range of championships and riders. I became more involved with the team during the middle of last season and will continue to be involved with that and being a mentor to Joel Rizzi who has been a pleasure to work with. For 2020 we have also signed Josh Gilbert. I watched him all last year and we believe we can drive and work with him to earn the championship results he deserves.”
Matt Walker – Managing Director Husqvarna Motorcycles UK
“Having seen the passion and dedication from the Par Homes RFX team over the last year, which saw Joel Rizzi through to taking his first ever British title, offering them the backing of Husqvarna Motorcycles for 2020 was an easy decision to make. We are eager to see the team progress, and to be able to sign a rider with the talents of Josh Gilbert shows that the team wants to push for titles in Britain as well as compete at the highest level in the MX2 FIM World Motocross Championship. We wish the whole team well for their 2020 campaigns.”