Aleksandr Tonkov moves from Husqvarna to Yamaha for the 2016 FIM MX2 World Championship.
Yamaha has confirmed that Russian MX2 rider Aleksandr Tonkov will compete in the MX2 class on the Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube team in the 2016 FIM MX2 World Championship.
The Belgian team reached an agreement with the 23-year-old who steps in to replace Valentin Guillod of Switzerland, who is moving up to the MXGP class aboard a YZ450F.
Tonkov, who spend the 2015 MX2 season with the Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna squad, has past Yamaha experience. He rode Yamahas at the beginning of the decade and also during his time in the EMX250 European Championship. Tonkov contended for numerous moto victories in MX2 last season, and he earned a moto win at Magoria, Italy, but he was sidelined with a shoulder injury after crashing while battling for the lead at the Grand Prix of Germany.
Tonkov missed the rest of the season, but he is now fully healed and making preparations for the 2016 season, which will be his last in MX2 as he bumps up against the maximum age limit of 23.
“The last two seasons have been good for me but not great, and I really feel a strong connection with Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube, and I believe it is where I need to be to go to the next level,” Tonkov said. “I know together we have a great chance. I know it will not be easy at all to go for the top but with such a strong crew behind me I do know I will be ready for the challenge.”
Standing Construct Yamaha team owner/manager Tim Mathys said that Tonkov has developed a lot and is an exciting prospect.
“We know he has the potential to be in contention for wins and podiums right away,” Mathys said. “It is another strong sign for our team that riders of his caliber want to race for us and be a part of what we are developing with Yamaha.
Yamaha Motor Europe MX Manager Erik Eggens added, “With Valentin moving to MXGP for 2016 we’re excited that we could secure a strong rider like Aleksandr to join the Standing Construct Yamaha Yamalube team. He took his first moto win this season and showed that he is one of the fastest in the class. Together with Julien [Lieber] on the YZ250F, it means we can again count on strong presence in MX2 and expect to be pushing for some great results.”
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