Multi-time World Motocross Champion Stefan Everts will head Suzuki’s factory FIM World Motocross Championship MXGP team.
Stefan Everts, FIM World Championship motocross’ winningest rider, has returned to the brand where he enjoyed his first World Championship success, Suzuki, and the 42-year-old Belgian will be charged with the operation of Suzuki’s factory MXGP effort, beginning next season.
Everts joins a Suzuki team under the auspices of Geboers Racing Promotions’ Sylvain Geboers, and the two Belgians will work to return Suzuki’s factory program to prominence in the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship at all levels, including MXGP, MX2 and the EMX250 European Championship. Everts will be assisted by his father, former 125cc World Champion Harry Everts. Stefan will not only oversee the racing operations, he is also expected to contribute to the development of Suzuki’s RM-Z motocross machines.
If anyone can handle such a job, it may be Stefan Everts, who holds a record 10 FIM World Championship titles and 101 Grand Prix victories. Everts comes to Suzuki after having helped guide KTM to its World Championship dominance over the past decade. He is confident that he can do the same with Suzuki.
“It is a very big challenge and a big responsibility…but actually I think I am ready for it,” Everts said. “I have the age and the knowledge. I have been retired for nine years, and thanks to my former job I was able to build up some experience on the other side of the fence. I feel ready! I love this sport so much, and I love to travel and be at the races. “I love finding new talent. I want success with this team. A lot of things need to change, to move and be pushed forward.”
Now in is 70s, Geboers will stay in place to assist with the transition and offer advice to Everts as GRP enters a new era.
“What we have now is a good opportunity for GRP, Suzuki and Stefan,” Geboers said. “I think he can be a huge help to riders and knows what it takes to win and become champion. A few years ago we, as Suzuki, lost Roger [De Coster] and therefore a lot of our power. I believe this is now coming back through Stefan and all the experience he has.””
Suzuki will field Kevin Strijbos and Ben Townley in the MXGP class, Jeremy Seewer and Brian Hsu in the MX2 class, and Bas Vaessen in the EMX250 European Championship.
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