TLD / Honda Announces West Coast Supercross Lites Team
Press Release | November 19, 2008
Team Troy Lee Designs/Honda announced today a brand new roster for the upcoming 2009 AMA Supercross Series. Joining the team will be: No. 47 Jimmy Albertson, No. 42 Jake Moss, and No. 63 Chris Blose. All three riders will compete in the West Coast Lites series, which kicks off January 3 at Angels Stadium in Anaheim. Jimmy Albertson turned pro in 2006 after a string of amateur victories, including a Loretta Lynn’s 125cc Championship. In 2008, Jimmy started to turn some heads with a fifth-place finish in the Lites division at Daytona Supercross. The factory teams took notice. Amid the outdoor Nationals, American Honda gave Albertson the opportunity of a lifetime. He was offered a ride to fill in for the injured Ben Townley on a factory Red Bull/Honda 450. Jimmy answered the call with sixth-place finishes at Washougal and Steel City. Jimmy will live and train in Corona, California, so that he will be close to Troy Lee Designs. “I am stoked to be a part of this team,” said Albertson upon arriving at TLD. “The helmets and gear are so cool, and the bikes look amazing. I can’t wait until Anaheim.” At the young age of 20, Chris Blose already has three years of Supercross experience on his resume. In 2008, he had three top-10 finishes in the West Coast Lites series, and he backed that up with four top-10 finishes in the 450 class at the Nationals. He will get the chance to showcase his talent this year with the TLD team, and it is an opportunity he does not plan to squander. “I am so excited to be working with this team,” says Blose. “The opportunity to have a top-level bike under me and to work with a crew that has that much experience is something I won’t take for granted. I know I can be in the top five on a regular basis with that kind of support behind me. I can’t wait.” Jake Moss will be missing at the opening rounds of the series, but you will see his No. 42 machine under the TLD transporter. Just days after signing his contract, Jake crashed and suffered a serious injury to one of his thoracic vertebrae. The injury is healing well and Jake plans to be back on the bike before the first of the year. Expect to see Moss enter the fray sometime mid-season. In addition to the new riders, TLD has made some other changes to its program. Bicycle legend Brian Lopes will be available to the riders for guidance on their physical training. David Pingree has been appointed to the Team Manager position, and will handle logistics and media relations. Jeff Ward and Jeremy McGrath will act as riding coaches for the team, getting the riders mentally prepared for each event and elevating them to the next level. Their championship-winning experience alone is a powerful tool for Jimmy and Chris as they prepare for battle. Team owner Troy Lee has tremendous confidence in the changes, and is excited to get the ball rolling for 2009. “I think we’ve made some great changes to the team, and hopefully we’re onto something big. I’d sure love to get some of our guys up on the podium this year and I think we’re definitely in a position to do that.”
