Persbericht Honda Racing
Maandag, 1 november

Erik Eggens completes RWJ Honda's 2005 MX2 assault

Motocross of Nations runner-up Erik Eggens today signed a one year deal with RWJ Honda to contest the MX2 World and British Championships. Eggens leaves the factory KTM team of which he has been a member since 2001 to ride alongside Mike Brown in the rejuvenated British set-up.

The 27 year old former four time Grand Prix winner helped the Netherlands claim a historic podium at the 58th Motocross of Nations last month at Leirop despite missing the whole 2004 season recovering from a serious back injury necessitating the partial removal of a spinal disc. After fears that the ailment could force a premature retirement, Eggens is ready once again to replicate the winning form that propelled him to the position of title contender in 2001.

"I'm really happy," he remarked this morning. "RWJ is a well established team in the paddock and they have good support from Honda. I am also looking forward to the British Championships. I have done some races in the UK in the past and I know that the level is very high; it is a good competition. I have ridden with KTM for a few years now and I felt that it was time to do something that was a positive career move for me. When I was nearing a deadline with KTM over my future I started discussions with Colin and RWJ and we were able to bring both of our ideas together at just the right time. I will ride the Honda in three weeks and take a bike back to Holland with me to start preparing for 2005. This year was very hard for me. I was close to stopping but I still had the desire and motivation to race. I pushed a lot to be fit for the Nations and knew that I still had the speed. Being in the team with Mike can only be good. I am sure we will practice together and it helps when you have a team-mate of his quality. He has a lot of experience and has been to Europe before. I cannot see how racing with Mike can be negative."

"We are really pleased to have signed Erik," said team manager Colin Reed. "His ability has never been in question and I think his presence in the team will benefit everyone. I think with Erik and Mike we can look forward to some good results next year."

"We introduced the CRF 250R into Grand Prix this season and now we want to make a serious attempt to win the MX2 World Championship," said Honda Off-Road Co-ordinator Roger Harvey. "With the signatures of Mike and Erik I believe we have the riders to do that; it is a great team and I am looking forward to seeing how they both get on."

Eggens and Brown will represent Honda's MX2 strong-arm in the 2005 Grand Prix campaign facing the likes of works riders Marc de Reuver and Tyla Rattray (KTM), Antonio Cairoli, Andrew McFarlane and Cedric Melotte (Yamaha) and Stephen Sword (Kawasaki).

The RWJ squad is rounded off by the renewal of MX1 rider James Noble's services for 2005. The MX Open British Championship runner-up will once again ride the CR450f machine in the world and domestic championships.