A new chapter in Power’s current MX2 World Championship career: He’ll race both Supercross and National in the 250cc class
After weeks of rumors and the first “verbal” confirmation of insiders at Lommel during the Flanders Grand Prix, official confirmation has now arrived from KTM: from 2023 Tom Viall will represent the Austrian manufacturer in the US in Supercross and nationally in the 250cc class cube.
For the 2020 MX2 World Champion and Power Two of the current cadet season, it will be a new and exciting challenge that will try to follow in the footsteps of the great Alpine riders who have sought (and in most cases found) fortune beyond the Atlantic. In order to better adapt to the American competitions, Vialle will race again with a quarter-liter, unlike plans made when signing a contract last year, which instead envisioned switching to 450cc with the goal of staying in the world championship.
As reported by KTM, the logistics base for the French driver, who will work alongside Max Vohland’s contract expiring at the end of 2023, should be at the Austrian manufacturer’s headquarters located on the east coast of the United States, near training. Center directed by Don Baker.
These are Vialle’s radiant words: “We had another exceptional season this year in MX2 and the original plans were to move to MXGP in 2023, but I felt it was the right time to also test my qualities in Supercross. I have a track close to home and in my family there is a tradition in the discipline. I am so excited to see what I will be able to do, although I know I will have a lot to learn to be ready in 2023. We have to be realistic, but at the same time it is great that we were able to discuss this with Robert Jonas and Peter Perrier and all the guys in the US to implement The project is with Red Bull KTM. The World Championship team is like another family to me and it would be hard to let go, but for me a new and exciting story is about to begin. I can’t wait to get started.”.
To put Vialle’s “tradition” in context, his father Frederick, a three-time World Grand Prix winner in the 125cc class, participated in six events in the old 8-liter Supercross between 1993 and 1995, winning fourth place in Seattle 1995 as the best score and was the semi-permanent protagonist of the FIM Indoor World Championships until the end of the 1990s.
Off-Road Motorsports coach Robert Jonas added: “We fully understood Tom’s desire to continue racing with the SX-F 250, while trying to see if he would be able to set new goals in the US and especially in Supercross. If he can learn as quickly and develop his potential as he has already done in the World Championship, it would be a huge surprise. To all opponents.I am sure Ian Harrison and Roger de Coster’s guidance will help him with this step.The team has already organized Supercross practice with him and Tom seems naturally set up for this discipline.It is the case for the right rider at the right time with the right amount of experience at the highest level.Hope He has the best, we are excited to see what goals he can achieve.”.
KTM Team North America Principal Ian Harrison concluded: “We are looking forward to having a rider like Tom on Team KTM USA. We have heard a lot of good things about him, both from a rider and person point of view. We have no doubt he could also make it to the top in the States. We have personally spoken a few times and I am impressed With his attention to detail in everything related to racing and moving to a new country.”.
Andrea Adamo and William Everts will replace Vialle in the MX2 World Championship, as it was announced yesterday.
Cover Photo: KTM Media Center
“Devoted bacon guru. Award-winning explorer. Internet junkie. Web lover.”
