Posts
177
Joined
12/4/2007
Location
Topeka, KS, USA
Edited Date/Time
1/26/2012 4:41pm
http://www.motoonline.com.au/2011/02/09/nicoletti-revealed-as-kawasakis…
MotoOnline.com.au can confirm that Monster Energy Kawasaki has signed American up and comer Phil Nicoletti to ride its Pro Lites bike for the 2011 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals season.
Nicoletti rode KTM machinery in the U.S. last season and was set to do so again this year before striking a deal with the Troy Carroll-managed factory Kawasaki team in Australia for this season.
The 22-year-old, who is originally from New York, arrived in Australia today after flying directly from Los Angeles to Sydney, before catching a connecting flight to Brisbane where he’ll be based with the Toowoomba-based team.
Carroll’s Monster Energy Kawasaki squad has a rich history of bring over international riders to contest the Australian domestic series, last year winning the Super X title with American Josh Hansen and also taking out second overall in the MX Nationals with Scotsman Billy Mackenzie.
Nicoletti will campaign the team’s factory KX250F in the Lites class while Mackenzie will be joined by Aussie rising star Dean Ferris in the Open class this season.
Last season, a relatively unknown PJ Larsen signed for the JDR Motorsports KTM team before going on to clinch both the MX Nationals and Super X titles in the Lites class at his first attempt.
MotoOnline.com.au can confirm that Monster Energy Kawasaki has signed American up and comer Phil Nicoletti to ride its Pro Lites bike for the 2011 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals season.
Nicoletti rode KTM machinery in the U.S. last season and was set to do so again this year before striking a deal with the Troy Carroll-managed factory Kawasaki team in Australia for this season.
The 22-year-old, who is originally from New York, arrived in Australia today after flying directly from Los Angeles to Sydney, before catching a connecting flight to Brisbane where he’ll be based with the Toowoomba-based team.
Carroll’s Monster Energy Kawasaki squad has a rich history of bring over international riders to contest the Australian domestic series, last year winning the Super X title with American Josh Hansen and also taking out second overall in the MX Nationals with Scotsman Billy Mackenzie.
Nicoletti will campaign the team’s factory KX250F in the Lites class while Mackenzie will be joined by Aussie rising star Dean Ferris in the Open class this season.
Last season, a relatively unknown PJ Larsen signed for the JDR Motorsports KTM team before going on to clinch both the MX Nationals and Super X titles in the Lites class at his first attempt.
he did well in west sx last year.
dd
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
As long as both riders can stay healthy throughout the season then we, the fans, will be the winners.
Pro Opens is looking to be the best field we have seen in years, to bad both the Moss boys are not up in that class as well.
It also raises the level of competition in Australia - another plus.
Unfortunately, on the flip side, it doesn't speak volumes about the level of our riders coming out of juniors and into the senior ranks at the moment. Although there are a number of great riders coming through the ranks, and no disrespect to the riders, unfortunately I see no "next big things" coming through at the moment.
I gotta get past that...I know...I'm a bitter ol'shit!
Jacob Wright, Dylan Long, Jay wilson all have serious resumes already including some international results.
I think Moss, Moss, Dale, and Gibbs will open up a can of whoop ass on Nicoletti.... Monster blows, it tastes like crap and they have only hired one Australian (Ferris, which was a very wise choice....) out of there 3 rider "Australian" team. If they were hell bent on bringing in a young US rider they should have got Politelli.
Disagree about Politelli though, I don't think he would be able to hold a candle to the Mossy's Dale or Gibbs right now, if they're gonna bring over an import bring over one who's gonna run up front and push the pace of the locals and make aussie mx better eg. PJ, Hansen MacKenzie and hopefully Nicoletti. If you want an up and coming 17yr old refer to the list of young kids above and take your pick.
Just my opinion ofcourse
Just needs the right stuff.
Getting Searles bikes last year was just a little too little and a little too late.
The move to Oz may affect his program but knowing what he's got to do, where and when he's got to do it and that his equipment is good and the bills are paid is gonna help him.
If Nicoletti had gotten the Geico ride he probably "deserved" when he left the Am's he'd be in the Supercross class by now with a couple Lites podiums on his resume.
Keep in mind this is a kid who got beat for both LL's titles by Trey one year and Hill the other. He can hang with the best on limited support and with collarbones still broken.
The skills are there and he's run as high as 6th here in the states indoors as a privateer living at Alessis in a sprinter van on a Katoom.
I'm happy he's got the support but I wish he gave the US one last season. Or at least did Houston saturday night before he bounced.
But there is a difference between a good rider and a "next big thing". Unfortunately none of them are exiting juniors with any real star power. None of them are known for their "total domination" in juniors. Sure they've all had wins but total domination???
The MX media in Australia isn't all "abuzz" about these riders hitting the senior ranks are they? None of them are drawing the attention of the media like Reed, Gobert, Sharky, Ando and co. did when they turned 16... That's all I'm saying.
The thing is in Aus now with the Under 19s class, all of these riders will spend at least one year in the 19s maybe 2 or 3 which maybe just maybe actually holds riders back on some occasions, for other riders it is a blessing.
is Dale riding Opens or Lites in Aus ?? Onlly four weeks untill our season starts, will be at all the rounds again this year (well maybe miss one or two depending on when the baby decides it is time to enter the world) Racing in the Lites will be a 3 to 5 way battle i think at most, Opens is going to be wide open! and 19s will be interesting.
Pit Row
Also add Jake Vella in there who beat Joey Savatgy (who I think won a class or two at Loretta Lynns)(correct me if Im wrong) in a few motos in the last Aussie junior nats and that championship ended up going down to the wire aswell.
As for Nicoletti, Monster must have thrown down some serious coin this year, Kawi have a super strong team and all 3 riders will be fighting for the Championship.
As for the Mossy's, I think we will be only seeing one Moss in MX this year
They also have Chad Reed as a talisman, we have.... what, Jamie Dobb?
Post a reply to: Phil Nicoletti to Monster Energy Kawasaki