High hopes for KTM in 2005

May 27, 2005

By Dan Brault

Photos: Jason T. Griffiths

Jimmy Nelson

Other than a few brilliant rides, KTM has yet to make much of an impact on the Canadian motocross scene. Notable achievements are: Mike Treadwell’s runner-up finish in the 2002 125 East series, Lockhart’s moto win at Deschambault in 2002 and Chuck Mesley’s fifth overall in last year’s east series.

This year, however, under the guidance of team manager Andy White, KTM looks poised to take a serious run at titles on both sides of the country. On the western front, American boys Jimmy Nelson and Kris Keefer look to keep Blackfoot Honda’s Dusty Klatt from defending his 125 West title.

I expect good results from Jimmy [Nelson]; he has the speed and maturity to win the championship. When he was here last time, he didn’t have a great attitude but he’s changed that,” said White. During the preseason, Nelson has been racing arenacrosses in Quebec, and White says he looks fast but just needs to slow down to go faster. Nelson raced the 125 West series in 2003 and finished third overall. He says the Canadian series is a good stepping stone for young Americans like himself, who plan on racing the U.S. nationals and it provides good money for younger riders.

Kris Keefer with Andy White

Nelson’s western teammate, 26-year-old Keefer, is a former test rider for Dirt Rider magazine and now tests bikes for the KTM factory and race teams. Keefer expects to be top five in the 125 West and plans to race the eastern 250 rounds, as well as the East/ West shootout at Walton.

In the 125 East, White has nearly doubled his chances to win a 125 championship. Leading the squad is Freelton, Ontario’s Pierce Chamberlain, who finished third in the East series two years ago behind Randy Valade and Derrick Fisher. Pico didn’t have much to write home about in last year’s series, other than a fifth place moto finish at Walton. This season, however, Pico has been tearing it up in the Ontario provincial series and despite the skepticism regarding his switch to KTMs and riding the 125, he is currently sitting first in 250 points and second in the 125 class. While Pico admits the 125 is a disadvantage, he is happy with his results so far and his moto win at Sand del Lee last weekend. As for the nationals, he remains quiet about his expectations.

Pierce Chamberlain

         “I’m not really thinking about them. As long as I keep riding and training hard, I should do fine,” said Chamberlain.

         Joining Pico under the KTM tent are Ohio’s Michael Willard, Matt Barnes and Chris Whitcraft. Willard has proved his speed numerous times on Canadian soil these past two months, winning the 250 Quebec arenacross championship and finishing in the top five in both the 125 and 250 classes at the Gopher Dunes provincial.

Michael Willard

         “I don’t think he [Willard] has hit his potential yet, but he is very consistent and that will be good for the short four-round series,” said White.

The 20-year-old Barnes was signed by Blackfoot to race the East last year; unfortunately after suffering a torn ACL he missed the series along with another eight months. He’s only been riding since March, but remains
optimistic about his title chances.

Matt Barnes

“My goal is to win the championship, I’ve only been riding since March but

by the time the series begins I should be good,” said Barnes.

The final member of the Ohio trio, Whitcraft, suffered an injury back at

the Daytona Supercross and it’s still up in the air whether we’ll see him up north.

“He should be ready for the 125 East series, but just to be safe I might keep him from riding the Gopher Dunes round. It will be a tough track to come back to and we don’t want to jeopardize the entire series for him,” said White.

Veteran Marco Dubé is part of the KTM team as well, but on a different level. He will race seven of the nine 250 rounds and plans to race some supermotard events.

“Marco [Dubé] has suffered injuries the last two seasons and has put a lot of pressure on himself to do well,” said White. “For this year, I told him to just relax and enjoy himself. I know the last few years he hasn’t been having as much fun.”

It’s going to be an interesting year for KTM, while they have championship potential on both coasts, they’re riders will be competing on the relatively unproven KTM 250F. However, White says he isn’t putting too much pressure on his team, he wants to use this season as a learning year with the new bikes and his main goal for his riders is to finish each race.

From left to right: Team manager Andy White, Jimmy Nelson, Michael Willard, Matt Barnes, Pierce Chamberlain, Kris Keefer, Chief mechanic Andreus Konrad.