Press Release | May 16, 2018
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki Fielding a Mix of Rookie and Veteran Riders at Pro Motocross Opener
This is a press release from Pro Circuit Kawasaki…
Corona, CA (May 16, 2018) – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki is ready to tackle the first of 12 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship with a collection of new and veteran riders lining up at Hangtown MX this weekend outside Sacramento. The 2016 Hangtown winner Joey Savatgy leads the charge for the team with third-year rider Austin Forkner back in action after sitting out several supercross rounds. Fresh off the amateur circuit, Garrett Marchbanks will make his pro debut at Hangtown and is ready to round out the team for the 2018 season.
As a former winner at Hangtown, Joey Savatgy is looking to start his 2018 campaign with a win. In 2017, he gained momentum and quickly took three overall victories and finished fifth in the championship. As the oldest rider under the tent, he’ll provide the rest of the riders his veteran experience to help keep Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki on top.
“We’ve been waiting to get outdoors for a while and prove we are able to run at the front,” said Savatgy. “It’s time to put all our time training and testing behind the gate and I would really like to get going on a positive note.”
After being forced to sit out of the final two supercross rounds, Forkner is healed up and ready to put more victories in the record books. He has one to his credit that he earned in 2016, making him more eager than ever to put his No. 35 back on top of the podium.
“It’s been a long time coming to get back on the starting line at an outdoor,” said Forkner. “I’m really looking forward to running up front and proving I have the speed to win. I was really close a few times last year and want to make 2018 count.”
With Marchbanks making his pro debut, the expectations are to get through the first round healthy and with some newly found confidence for the 16-year-old. Coming from the Kawasaki Team Green ranks, the transition has been smooth with Marchbanks logging years of seat time aboard the championship-proven KX250F.
“Being able to move from the Team Green program to Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki has been a dream come true,” said Marchbanks. “Everyone has been so welcoming and it’s really been an easy transition already being comfortable with the bike. Of course I want to be in the top 10 but to finish two solid motos and gain some experience is what I’m hoping to get out of my first race.”
The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders will participate in the season-opening Block Party on Thursday, May 17 from 6-7 p.m at the Palladio Mall in Folsom, California.
Saturday’s race of the 50th running of the Hangtown Classic will be broadcast on MAVTV and NBC Sports with the first moto starting at 4 p.m. ET.
Additional broadcast times can be found here.
To find out more about Pro Circuit products, visit www.procircuit.com