Kawasaki has now officially confirmed the Phoenix Tools Apico team will run Kawasaki machinery for the first time in the form of the all-new KX450 in 2019, as exclusively revealed in MotoHead magazine App two weeks ago.
Running in both the Maxxis British Championship and the MX National Series, the team have shown strong results in the past and are looking to improve their results further with Kawasaki machinery after running Honda bikes in recent seasons.
Gert Krestinov, who previously raced a Kawasaki in 2014, will challenge in the MX1 class aboard the new KX450 for the team. Krestinov ended the 2017 MX1 British Championship in second place and is looking to come back stronger than ever in 2019 after a mid-season shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Carlton Husband will race the KX250F in the MX2 class. Carlton has shown incredible progress in recent seasons and can now be seen consistently finishing in the top ten.
Four-time British Women’s Champion Ciara Robertson, who has already made quite an impression on the scene despite her young age, will also join the Phoenix Tools Apico Motocross Team for 2019. She will contest both the Women’s British Championship and the MX Nationals aboard a KX250F as she looks to claim her fifth British title.
Ross Burridge, Senior Racing and Marketing Co-ordinator, said: “I am pleased to welcome the experienced outfit to Kawasaki and Team Green. Barry runs a tight knit and professionally turned out team and with two strong riders on board, I am hoping for some excellent results from the outset. We have worked with Gert before and I am excited to see how he will adapt to the all-new KX450. We also welcome Carlton to Kawasaki for the first time. We are already looking forward to Round 1 of next year’s season.”
Barry Moore, Team Manger, said: “For me this is the start of a new and exciting chapter for Phoenix Tools Apico MX team. I have had some great times on Honda and thank them for there support over the years.
“Now we’re moving over to the all new Kawasaki KX450 and I couldn’t be more excited for the 2019 season to start, we was kindly invited to test out the bike recently and were blown away by all aspects of the bike, power delivery was smooth but powerful, very progressive brakes, suspension and handling was also fantastic, for a 450 the bike feels so light and slim to ride. We can’t wait to start our winter riding and testing to really appreciate how good this bike is. We look forward to the start of many successful year with Kawasaki.”
Gert Krestinov said: “I’m very excited to start using Kawasaki machinery. I’m sure that the new 450 is a really good bike, I’ve only heard good things about it and really looking forward to riding one soon. I will do my best to put Phoenix Tools Apico Kawasaki on top of the results list.”
Carlton Husband said: “The move to Kawasaki is a step forward for the Phoneix Tools Apico Team. I’m fortunate enough to have already had the chance to try out the new 2019 450, thanks to Kawasaki. Although I loved the new KX450, I will be competing on the KX250F in the MX2 class next year as this suits my style the best. With a great team and the support of Kawasaki I’m looking forward to a successful year.”
Ciara Robertson said: “I am very much looking forward to being on a Kawasaki 250 next year under the Phoenix Tools Apico team. I’ve never ridden anything other than a KTM, so I’m excited to see the comparison between them. The 2019 Kawasaki’s look as though they handle really well and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some consistent races in on the new bike and get the results I want in 2019.”