FIM European 250 Motocross Champion Nick Kouwenberg has put together a deal to race the 2016 AMA 250SX West Supercross Series.
Nick Kouwenberg, who scored the 2015 FIM 250cc Motocross Championship [EMX250, not to be confused with the MX2 title] with a win at the final round in his home country, has worked out a deal to race in the 2016 AMA 250SX West Supercross Series, according to Honda.
The 24-year-old Dutchman, who races for the Jtech Honda squad in Europe, has secured backing from American Honda to contest the eight western region rounds that are held in conjunction with the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series before returning to defend his EMX250 crown when the season starts in Valkenswaard in late March. Although the American stadiums will represent a new challenge for him, Kouwenberg is no stranger to supercross. He won the European Supercross Lites title at EICMA this year.
“I have been in America for a week already, and I still don’t believe it is really going to happen,” Koiwenberg said. “Things have been going really fast the past two weeks, and I’ve been dreaming about this for so long, just to be racing in California is incredible. I am really thankful to Honda Motor Europe for helping to set this all up for me, and they have been so supportive. I’m also really lucky to have Honda America supporting me as well so massive thanks to them and the BWR team.”
Kouwenberg said that he has been playing it safe during his first few test sesssions since coming to the States, as he does not want to risk injury before he reaches the starting line at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, January 9.
“I’m trying to build it step by step,” he said. “For sure, racing in supercross is going to help me prepare for defending my EMX250 title. The level here is bigger than anything: staying here for all the races alone, fighting every week with a way more packed field than Europe. It will be easier when I get back home, back with my parents, girlfriend, friends and my team who I took the title with. I’m really, really excited to be here, but it’s going to be way tougher than I or anybody else expects, I think. I know when I get back home I will respect everything I have way more again.”
2016 AMA Supercross 250SX West Region Schedule
January 9–Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California
January 16–PETCO Park, San Diego, California
January 23–Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California
January 30–O.Co Coliseum, Oakland, California
February 6–University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
February 13–PETCO Park, San Diego, California
February 20–AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
April 2–Levi’s Stadium, Santa, Clara California
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