Kailub Russell to Yamaha

LungButter
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Edited Date/Time 12/5/2024 5:40am

It's official.

https://www.vitalmx.com/news/press-release/kailub-russell-joins-ampro-yamaha-racing

Pretty wild to see KTM have to let both Kailub and Toby Price walk away. 

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fourfourone
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12/4/2024 10:24am

RIP KTM. 

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AMetts
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12/4/2024 10:27am

KR wanted to race again and I'm sure not only did KTM not want to pay him what he probably wanted it just doesn't make sense. They have defending champ Johnny Girroir, another Championship threat in Ben Kelley and probably the next big name in XC1 in Grant Davis after he is done in XC2 this coming year. 

KTM group have won every GNCC championship in XC1 since KR retired after he won an insane 8 in a row.

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LungButter
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12/4/2024 10:32am
AMetts wrote:
KR wanted to race again and I'm sure not only did KTM not want to pay him what he probably wanted it just doesn't make sense...

KR wanted to race again and I'm sure not only did KTM not want to pay him what he probably wanted it just doesn't make sense. They have defending champ Johnny Girroir, another Championship threat in Ben Kelley and probably the next big name in XC1 in Grant Davis after he is done in XC2 this coming year. 

KTM group have won every GNCC championship in XC1 since KR retired after he won an insane 8 in a row.

Are we certain Ben Kelley is coming back?  

I could see him getting caught up in the budget cuts and KTM just rolling with Johnny in XC1.

I also wonder if Bollinger, Delong and Ashburn are looking for new homes?

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The Shop

Moto Mofo
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12/4/2024 10:35am

And Cody Webb to Yamaha, too! 

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12/4/2024 10:41am
Moto Mofo wrote:

And Cody Webb to Yamaha, too! 

Saw that as well. Yamaha Blu Cru making some waves in the off-road world. Webb to Yamaha is very intriguing.

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sam hain
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12/4/2024 10:41am Edited Date/Time 12/4/2024 10:42am

When this info was originally leaked I heard he was racing the 250FX in the XC1 class. Racing the 450 makes much more sense, but KR could win on a 125. Displacement doesn't really matter. It is odd to me though that after winning titles 8 in a row,  and (I'm sure) dealing with burn out, he would want to come back after 4yrs off. It won't be an easy task by any means given the competition hasn't stopped racing. If anyone can come back and do well its KR though. XC1 is better with him on the line for sure.

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12/4/2024 10:45am
sam hain wrote:
When this info was originally leaked I heard he was racing the 250FX in the XC1 class. Racing the 450 makes much more sense, but KR...

When this info was originally leaked I heard he was racing the 250FX in the XC1 class. Racing the 450 makes much more sense, but KR could win on a 125. Displacement doesn't really matter. It is odd to me though that after winning titles 8 in a row,  and (I'm sure) dealing with burn out, he would want to come back after 4yrs off. It won't be an easy task by any means given the competition hasn't stopped racing. If anyone can come back and do well its KR though. XC1 is better with him on the line for sure.

The racing in the XC1 class is going to be really good next year! Looking forward to it.

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LungButter
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12/4/2024 10:48am

Moose gear

Moose Gear and Yamaha bad asses in off road is a thing.  Remember Ty Davis?  If you don't....you can kiss my a$$ 🤣😘

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soggy
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12/4/2024 10:53am

Confirmed he’s not there to develop a 350

AMetts
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12/4/2024 10:58am
AMetts wrote:
KR wanted to race again and I'm sure not only did KTM not want to pay him what he probably wanted it just doesn't make sense...

KR wanted to race again and I'm sure not only did KTM not want to pay him what he probably wanted it just doesn't make sense. They have defending champ Johnny Girroir, another Championship threat in Ben Kelley and probably the next big name in XC1 in Grant Davis after he is done in XC2 this coming year. 

KTM group have won every GNCC championship in XC1 since KR retired after he won an insane 8 in a row.

LungButter wrote:
Are we certain Ben Kelley is coming back?  I could see him getting caught up in the budget cuts and KTM just rolling with Johnny in...

Are we certain Ben Kelley is coming back?  

I could see him getting caught up in the budget cuts and KTM just rolling with Johnny in XC1.

I also wonder if Bollinger, Delong and Ashburn are looking for new homes?

Pretty sure Ben Kelley is staying, Ashburn will probably be on the new GasGas team. Josh Strang already confirmed at Beta racing and team manager. Also possible Triumph putting together something as well. 

A lot easier for a company like Triumph or Beta to put forth a small team in GNCC vs SX, they can provide a van a nice pit setup and a mechanic and that's fine for even a top GNCC pro a lot of times. 

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LungButter
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12/4/2024 11:04am
AMetts wrote:
Pretty sure Ben Kelley is staying, Ashburn will probably be on the new GasGas team. Josh Strang already confirmed at Beta racing and team manager. Also...

Pretty sure Ben Kelley is staying, Ashburn will probably be on the new GasGas team. Josh Strang already confirmed at Beta racing and team manager. Also possible Triumph putting together something as well. 

A lot easier for a company like Triumph or Beta to put forth a small team in GNCC vs SX, they can provide a van a nice pit setup and a mechanic and that's fine for even a top GNCC pro a lot of times. 

So Ashburn on GasGas but not with Coastal?

Sparkalounger
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12/4/2024 11:05am
Moto Mofo wrote:

And Cody Webb to Yamaha, too! 

Saw that as well. Yamaha Blu Cru making some waves in the off-road world. Webb to Yamaha is very intriguing.

Seems like they are trying to capitalize while KTM is recovering from their gut punch...

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Johnny Ringo
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12/4/2024 11:07am

Moose gear

LungButter wrote:

Moose Gear and Yamaha bad asses in off road is a thing.  Remember Ty Davis?  If you don't....you can kiss my a$$ 🤣😘

Oh I remember. Moose is core off-road.

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AMetts
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12/4/2024 11:08am
AMetts wrote:
Pretty sure Ben Kelley is staying, Ashburn will probably be on the new GasGas team. Josh Strang already confirmed at Beta racing and team manager. Also...

Pretty sure Ben Kelley is staying, Ashburn will probably be on the new GasGas team. Josh Strang already confirmed at Beta racing and team manager. Also possible Triumph putting together something as well. 

A lot easier for a company like Triumph or Beta to put forth a small team in GNCC vs SX, they can provide a van a nice pit setup and a mechanic and that's fine for even a top GNCC pro a lot of times. 

LungButter wrote:

So Ashburn on GasGas but not with Coastal?

Id have to listen back but On the Pipe Podcast is the most plugged in with all this stuff. I believe it will be Landers GasGas next year, Coastal is out.

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AMetts
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12/4/2024 11:12am
Moto Mofo wrote:

And Cody Webb to Yamaha, too! 

Saw that as well. Yamaha Blu Cru making some waves in the off-road world. Webb to Yamaha is very intriguing.

Seems like they are trying to capitalize while KTM is recovering from their gut punch...

Or they finally recovered some of the budget they used to pay Zach Osborne to get last place in XC2 in 2023, no offense to Zach but that had to be a expensive disappointment on both sides. 

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sam hain
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12/4/2024 11:16am

Seems like they are trying to capitalize while KTM is recovering from their gut punch...

Oh yes, Yamaha is kicking KTM while they are down. Or at least trying to.

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BoxcarWilly
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12/4/2024 11:23am

BluCru domination!

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12/4/2024 11:40am
AMetts wrote:
Pretty sure Ben Kelley is staying, Ashburn will probably be on the new GasGas team. Josh Strang already confirmed at Beta racing and team manager. Also...

Pretty sure Ben Kelley is staying, Ashburn will probably be on the new GasGas team. Josh Strang already confirmed at Beta racing and team manager. Also possible Triumph putting together something as well. 

A lot easier for a company like Triumph or Beta to put forth a small team in GNCC vs SX, they can provide a van a nice pit setup and a mechanic and that's fine for even a top GNCC pro a lot of times. 

LungButter wrote:

So Ashburn on GasGas but not with Coastal?

AMetts wrote:
Id have to listen back but On the Pipe Podcast is the most plugged in with all this stuff. I believe it will be Landers GasGas...

Id have to listen back but On the Pipe Podcast is the most plugged in with all this stuff. I believe it will be Landers GasGas next year, Coastal is out.

I love Offroad stuff but man his podcast is a tough listen 

 

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LungButter
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12/4/2024 11:42am
AMetts wrote:
Or they finally recovered some of the budget they used to pay Zach Osborne to get last place in XC2 in 2023, no offense to Zach...

Or they finally recovered some of the budget they used to pay Zach Osborne to get last place in XC2 in 2023, no offense to Zach but that had to be a expensive disappointment on both sides. 

I heard 2 numbers for ZachO.  $300k and $500k.

Either one is a huge salary in off road.

 

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AztecLoc
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Fantasy
12/4/2024 12:54pm
Moto Mofo wrote:

And Cody Webb to Yamaha, too! 

Saw that as well. Yamaha Blu Cru making some waves in the off-road world. Webb to Yamaha is very intriguing.

Seems like they are trying to capitalize while KTM is recovering from their gut punch...

Yz300x with estart.. we can only hope.

9
vtnewb
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12/4/2024 1:04pm

Please Please Please let Cody Webb to Yamaha mean BluCru is ingesting the Fantic 300 and releasing a YZ300X

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Zycki11
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12/4/2024 1:13pm

Excited for GNCC this year lots of parity. 

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racerxx276
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12/4/2024 1:38pm

wait! What happened to all the YZ350 Talk? 🤣

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sandman768
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12/4/2024 1:44pm
racerxx276 wrote:

wait! What happened to all the YZ350 Talk? 🤣

Trans gears on backorder 👌

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AMetts
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12/4/2024 7:30pm

https://youtu.be/HLYMi139GUw?si=4ynlB5bYyuI8E5lb

Pretty much what I said, KTM is setup with two of the best currently and two up and coming XC2 guys that will be the next big names so no room for KR on the roster is understandable. 

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Spoonguy
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12/4/2024 8:09pm

Yamaha doesn't make a six speed off roader do they?

Johnny Ringo
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12/4/2024 8:10pm Edited Date/Time 12/4/2024 8:10pm
Spoonguy wrote:

Yamaha doesn't make a six speed off roader do they?

I think the 250fx is. Wait, maybe just the 125?

Money
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12/4/2024 8:13pm
AMetts wrote:
Or they finally recovered some of the budget they used to pay Zach Osborne to get last place in XC2 in 2023, no offense to Zach...

Or they finally recovered some of the budget they used to pay Zach Osborne to get last place in XC2 in 2023, no offense to Zach but that had to be a expensive disappointment on both sides. 

LungButter wrote:

I heard 2 numbers for ZachO.  $300k and $500k.

Either one is a huge salary in off road.

 

Zach laughed all the way to the bank cashing those checks 

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Spoonguy
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12/5/2024 5:16am
Spoonguy wrote:

Yamaha doesn't make a six speed off roader do they?

I think the 250fx is. Wait, maybe just the 125?

The 125 and 250FX are six speeds. I suppose five is probably good enough, but it sure seems like I use all six on my bikes.

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