Dutchman Nick Kouwenberg backs away from Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Supercross Series to focus on his FIM European 250 MX title defense.
Jtech Honda rider Nick Kouwenberg has decided to pull out of the 2016 Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Supercross Series and return to Europe so that he can heal up and focus on the defense of his FIM European 250MX championship title.
Kouwenberg finished his supercross campaign last weekend at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. While Kouwenberg’s team claims that he was showing improvement with each round, the fact remains that he had yet to qualify for a 250SX West main event. It certainly didn’t help matters that, after posting competitive lap times during qualifying for the Anaheim season opener, that he crashed and suffered a broken rib, but Kouwenberg also found that the supercross riding style is quite different from what he is used to in Europe.
“It has come to an early end, but I have to think smart and choose what’s the right thing to do in this moment,” Kouwenberg said. “It is pretty clear that the level of American Supercross is really high, and when you come in as a privateer with little supercross training it is a very difficult job to be competitive with these guys. For sure the broken rib from Anaheim I hasn’t helped.”
Kouwenberg said that he has learned a lot during his short time in supercross, but now it is time to go home.
“I really can’t wait to get back on that Jtech Honda and get ready for Valkenswaard!” he said. “There are a lot of people I need to thank: all the guys in the K1 Speed/BWR Engines/SSI Decals/Honda team, Honda U.S., and all the guys that helped me to get out here. It has been a great adventure.”
The FIM European 250 MX Championship is scheduled to begin at Valkenswaard in the Netherlands, March 27-28.
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