Read this on RacerX: Michael Leib, the fast California kid who summered in Europe on the Grand Prix tour, will head back there in 2011 as a factory rider. Leib has signed a letter of intent with Husqvarna and Ricci Racing. This is great for us Americans. Husqvarna's return to MX2 and an American rider.
Sweet! He has been over in EU this year so the transition to a different country has already happened ... He should be ready to excel!
MX site in Holland says contract is for MX3?? ANd that Ricci is committed with Husqvarna for 2011, hope its MX2 No press release news from Ricci Racing (former Yamaha squad)
here is the team website, solid organization with top tier riders, should be good ML and for the re-intro of Husky into the top level of MX again. http://www.ricciracing.it/wordpress/index.php PS it does not say anywhere that the ML deal is closed that I saw, it's just LOI which is silly season speak that he is available but is also out on the market among teams/rides.
I wonder if they will continue with Solva for forks and shock. that would be interesting to see on the TC250. I know only one guy who has ridden Solva stuff, he told me from the shop it is just the most amazing suspension to ride, he used it in SX. I understand the deal with solva is a 100% service deal, you never open the stuff just swap out the majors (forks and shock) but solva has also a longer life cycle for all the components/internals and oil.
LOI sounds like the college recruit stuff for the usa kids .... Yamaha Motor Europe and the Ricci Racing Team have decided to walk separate paths after a long, hard-working and successful relationship. Team owner Ilario Ricci and his Italian crew will attempt new challenges for the 2011 FIM MX-GP World Championship and beyond.... That entire site is outta date ....
http://www.racerxonline.com/article/between-the-motos-michael-leib.aspx snuck in couple of shots of ML on the TC250
Maybe this will drawn some of the kids from the usa to follow the series a little more closely and see the new Huskies in action ...
Very soon as in early next week. He is in Italy now finalizing the contract and riding the race bike which he says is very good. btw, this is his dad.
No doubt about it! Thanks. Cool interview on MX Large.... http://www.mxlarge.com/interview/4352-michael-leib-interview-factory-rider
He's showing a good attitude all over this interview... Get this guy a bike as soon as possible ... Leib: I took two weeks off after Fermo with my family and girlfriend, and that is all the time off I wanted, I want to work and do everything I have to do to make it work. I want to use this opportunity to get the maximum from it. I am here until November 6 and I will hopefully have some Husqvarna’s at my home in California. I will train now up until I come back here in February and I will then do some Italian Championships, just get up for the Grand Prix’s.
All the best for ML, Thanks for checking in DLRocket, for US Husky fans alot rests on his shoulders as the MX flag bearer for us fans of the brand. I know ML is up for the task and feel strongly that the 2011 TC250 is very competitive with all the other brands motor wise, plus it has that semi perimeter CrMo nice supple chassis for great feel. Go Michael the US needs another MX world champ its been a while!! Hope to see you at one of the many local SoCal tracks struttin' your stuff! RN
well i met Michael at the track in Malpensa on Thursday seems like a really nice guy and wish him the best.
It's official. Today November 5th at the Milan Motorcyle Trade Show Michael signed a one year contract with Husqvarna to ride a 2011 TC250 in MX2 for Ricci Racing. He has been in Italy for two weeks visiting the factory, Ricci Racing, getting his living situation squared away for 2011, testing the race bike and attending the Milan ECIMA Motorcycle Trade Show.
