Taylor Robert Joins 2014 FMF/KTM Off-Road Team

KTM Motorsports has announced its 2014 team line-up for the Factory FMF/KTM Offroad Racing Team, with several familiar faces returning to the team and a new addition in former Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Taylor Robert.

Robert will join Steward Baylor, returning KTM legend Mike Lafferty, Kacy Martinez, Charlie Mullins, Kailub Russell and Ivan Ramirez to make a potent six-man and one-woman squad that is set to chase all of the premier titles in American Off-Road racing and most likely field entries for the 2014 International Six Days Enduro. Former Former AMA 125cc Motocross National Champion, WORCS Champion and X-Games EnduroX Gold Medalist Mike Brown will not be a member of the Orange Brigade in 2014, although he is rumored to have a factory seat with KTM’s new sister brand, Husqvarna, in 2014.

Robert, a former WORCS Champion and the 2013 ISDE Top American, said he is very happy about his switch to the KTM brand. Like Mullins and Russell, Robert has signed a three-year contract with the factory team. He will compete on the 350 XC-F in the EnduroCross Series. Robert is excited for his debut on the team.

“It is an honor to race for the KTM team,” Robert said. “I know they have a history of winning off-road championships, and I am hoping to give them some more. I am thankful for the opportunity and excited to showcase the product in the EnduroCross Series and in the ISDE next season.”

Baylor, who sat out most of the 2013 season healing from a wrist injury, will return to the AMA National Enduro and GNCC Series for 2014. Baylor is seeking his second national championship in the National Enduro Series and will be competing in his first full-season in the GNCC XC1 class.

Lafferty will return to the Factory FMF/KTM Team after spending the past several seasons on the now-defunct factory Husaberg team. The 2014 season will mark Lafferty’s 20th year racing professionally, and he has announced that it will be his final year racing full-time. The eight-time AMA National Enduro Champion is currently tied with Dick Burleson for the record amount of National Enduro championships, and he will be looking to break that record in his final season.

Mullins is the reigning AMA National Enduro Champion, and he is returning with a fresh three-year contract. Mullins was dominant in the AMA National Enduro series last season, and he is looking to hang on to his number one plate. Mullins also finished second in the GNCC XC1 Series after battling teammate Russell down to the wire in the last race, and he will return to the GNCC Series in 2014 with even greater motivation to win.

“Kailub and I battled the whole season last year, and I plan to challenge him even more next season,” Mullins said. “No racer likes to get second, and I am going to do my part to make sure I am in the championship hunt this next season.”

Mullins main competitor, Russell, has also signed a three-year contract with the Factory FMF/KTM Team. For 2014, he will defend his title in the GNCC XC1 Series.

“I made some changes to my program last year that helped me as we neared the end of the season, Russell said. “It felt great to get my first XC1 championship and now I am determined to stay on top. I am looking forward to an exciting season.”

In the Women’s GNCC class, fans will see Kacy Martinez step up to the Factory team truck to replace four-time GNCC Champion Maria Forsberg. Martinez proved she has what it takes to place at the top of the podium, winning two races last season. The multi-time WORCS Women’s Champion is looking to compete for her first GNCC title.

On the west coast, KTM will field Ramirez and Robert. Ramirez will contest the AMA National Hare & Hound Series where he finished fourth overall in 2013. Ramirez is always a fan favorite in Mexico when he contests the SCORE off-road races in Baja California.

“Last year was my first full-time year in the series,” Ramirez said. “I love desert racing, so I am really looking forward to returning to that series. I learned a lot from my friend Kurt Caselli, and I am hoping to take what he has taught me and go after my first title in that series.”

While the team is still feeling the tragic loss of team leader Kurt Caselli in the 2013 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, FMF/KTM Team Manager Antti Kallonen is optimistic that this current group of riders will continue to move the program forward and honor Caselli’s memory by competing for race wins and championships wherever it competes.

“We lost a great leader in our team with the passing of Kurt Caselli, and it is our goal to continue to do what he has taught us to do, which is to continue to improve each season to reach new goals and championships,” Kallonen said. “We’ve always had a team of great riders, and this year is no exception. The 2013 season was very successful, and it is never easy to repeat that success, but with our group of riders, mechanics and team staff I know we have what it takes to defend current titles and go after new ones.”