SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Reigning AMA National Motocross Champ James Stewart will certainly be the biggest star to don a Bell Moto-8 when the gate drops on the 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season in Anaheim, Calif. on Jan. 3, but he won’t be the only one. Building on a strong race presence from the past few seasons, Bell has put together an impressive roster that includes not only Stewart, but other top riders in both the Supercross and Lites divisions.
Joining Stewart on the big bikes will be returning Bell Riders Michael Byrne, Nick Wey and Tyler Bowers. 2008 AMA Rookie-of-the-Year Nico Izzi leads Bell’s impressive slate of Lites riders which also includes Justin Brayton, Martin Davalos, Ryan Sipes, Wil Hahn and Tommy Searle of the Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM team as well as Broc Tickle, Darryn Durham, Michael Hall, and Matt Lemoine of the new Star Racing/Yamaha team. Suzuki City teammates Matt Goerke and Steven Clarke round out the Lites roster with Goerke likely to move up to big bikes for the outdoor season. With a couple exceptions, most riders will race both Supercross and Motocross schedules.
“Having James in the Bell Moto-8 is obviously huge for us,” said Bell Sports Marketing Manager Chuck Platt. “But I think we have a very strong roster top-to-bottom…Supercross, Lites, off-road, amateur, freestyle—we’re solid in everything.”
Bell big in off-road, freestyle and amateur ranks as well
Bell has also signed off-road star Nate Kanney who will kick off his 2009 campaign in February at the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) season opener in River Ranch, Fla. On the freestyle side of things, X-Games star Mat Rebeaud will again fly the Moto-8, but don’t be surprised if you see a number of other top riders on Bell.
“The Moto-8’s reputation for comfort and performance has led a number of top riders to seek us out,” continued Platt. “We can’t possibly sponsor them all, but we’re flattered they believe in Bell and are happy to set them up with some product.”
Twelve-year-old phenom Adam Cianciarulo leads the Bell charge on the amateur side of things. He’s joined by fellow young ripper Joey Savatgy and a handful of other talented junior athletes.
“It’s really exciting to see some of these kids ride,” added Platt. “Do a YouTube search for Adam and prepare to be schooled. He collects national titles like other kids collect baseball cards.”
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2009 BELL DIRT ROSTER
Supercross/Motocross:
James Stewart – San Manuel/L&M/JSE Yamaha
Michael Byrne – Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki*
Nick Wey – Yamaha of Troy
Tyler Bowers – MDK/Wonder Warthog/Honda
Supercross Lites/Motocross Lites:
Justin Brayton – Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM (West)
Ryan Sipes – Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM (West)
Martin Davalos – Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM (East)
Wil Hahn – Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM (East)
Tommy Searle – Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM (Outdoor only)
Michael Hall – Star Racing/Yamaha (West)
Broc Tickle – Star Racing/Yamaha (West)
Darryn Durham – Star Racing/Yamaha (East)
Matt Lemoine – Star Racing/Yamaha (East)
Nico Izzi – Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki (East)
Steven Clarke – Suzuki City (East)
Matt Goerke – Suzuki City (East)
Freestyle:
Mat Rebeaud – Red Bull/KTM
GNCC Off-Road:
Nate Kanney – Red Bull/KTM
Amateur:
Adam Cianciarulo – Monster/Kawasaki
Joey Savatgy – Red Bull/Honda
* - Injured, likely miss first round of Supercross
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bell unleashes 2009 Moto-8 colorways
Tattered
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Bell Powersports has unveiled its 2009 line of graphics for the Moto-8 motocross helmet that covers the full spectrum from mild to wild, and everything in between. From the artful contrast of pin lines and distressed colorblock on the ‘Tattered’ model to the reserved yet stylish race livery of the Nick Wey Replica to the outright insanity of ‘Psycho Manic,’ the new Moto-8s take helmet graphics to the next level.
“We’re always looking for something that takes the expected and puts a unique twist on it,” said Bell Creative Director Casey Potter. “I think we really hit the mark this year with designs that are eye-catching, distinctive and varied enough to match the many tastes across the spectrum of motocross riders.”
The Moto-8 has become a favorite of riders of all levels from top pro to budding amateurs with the likes of Grant Langston, Jason Lawrence and Adam Cianciarulo all notching championship titles in the helmet. For 2009, the Bell team is lead by James Stewart and a small army of talented riders who will vie for glory in the Moto-8.
The Moto-8 has an MSRP of $399.95.
“We’re always looking for something that takes the expected and puts a unique twist on it,” said Bell Creative Director Casey Potter. “I think we really hit the mark this year with designs that are eye-catching, distinctive and varied enough to match the many tastes across the spectrum of motocross riders.”
The Moto-8 has become a favorite of riders of all levels from top pro to budding amateurs with the likes of Grant Langston, Jason Lawrence and Adam Cianciarulo all notching championship titles in the helmet. For 2009, the Bell team is lead by James Stewart and a small army of talented riders who will vie for glory in the Moto-8.
The Moto-8 has an MSRP of $399.95.
2009 Bell Moto-8 Colorways
Plaid Orange
.
Psycho Manic
.
Nick Wey Replica
.
Manic
.
Nitro Brown/Light Blue
.
Nitro Orange/Black
.
Nitro Red/White
.
Black Matte
.
White
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
James Stewart to ride Bell Helmets
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Bell Powersports has signed 2008 AMA Motocross National Champion James Stewart to compete and train in the Bell Moto-8 starting in 2009. Stewart is widely regarded as the biggest star in motocross and has won seven major titles since turning professional in 2002. He also holds numerous national titles and championships from his amateur days.
The 22 year old Stewart joins a storied roster of champions and legends who’ve competed in Bell over the years.
“Getting James on board is huge for Bell,” said Bell Vice President Tom Larter. “Working with athletes who are at the pinnacle of their sports to help develop product is what made Bell great and is part of our DNA. We see James as a big part of what’s next for Bell motocross.”
Stewart joins an already-strong roster of Bell Riders that includes the likes of Nick Wey, Michael Byrne, Nico Izzi, Jason Lawrence, Grant Langston and Adam Cianciarulo, as well as the Yamaha of Troy and KTM MDK factory teams.
“At this point in my career safety comes first, so I chose to go with one of the sport’s best,” said Stewart. “The other riders have also been telling me how comfortable and ventilated the Moto-8 is, so I’m really stoked to be starting with Bell next year. I’m also really proud to have my name added to the list of great Bell Riders that goes back to the origins of the sport.”
As Stewart alluded to, one of the reasons so many top riders are drawn to the Moto-8 is its comfort factor. At the heart of the Moto-8 is Bell’s exclusive Velocity Flow Ventilation system that uses a sophisticated set of vents, ducts, exhaust ports and flow management features to create a natural turbulence engine which literally pulls air through the helmet. This coupled with its lightweight TriMatrix Composite shell, easy-to-adjust Flying Bridge Visor and quick drying comfort liner, provides a hassle- and fatigue-free experience while keeping the rider cool and dry. The Moto-8 was designed, engineered, tested and prototyped from the ground up at Bell’s Santa Cruz, Calif. facility over a period of three years. Bell engineers have continued to tweak the design since its introduction, bringing an already excellent design even closer to perfection.
###
Rider: James Stewart
DOB: December 21, 1985
Residence: Haines City, Fla.
2008 AMA Motocross National Champion
2007 AMA Supercross Champion
2006 FIM WSXGP Supercross Champion
2004 AMA 125 East Supercross Champion
2004 AMA 125 Motocross National Champion
2003 AMA 125 West Supercross Champion
2002 AMA 125 Motocross National Champion
The 22 year old Stewart joins a storied roster of champions and legends who’ve competed in Bell over the years.
“Getting James on board is huge for Bell,” said Bell Vice President Tom Larter. “Working with athletes who are at the pinnacle of their sports to help develop product is what made Bell great and is part of our DNA. We see James as a big part of what’s next for Bell motocross.”
Stewart joins an already-strong roster of Bell Riders that includes the likes of Nick Wey, Michael Byrne, Nico Izzi, Jason Lawrence, Grant Langston and Adam Cianciarulo, as well as the Yamaha of Troy and KTM MDK factory teams.
“At this point in my career safety comes first, so I chose to go with one of the sport’s best,” said Stewart. “The other riders have also been telling me how comfortable and ventilated the Moto-8 is, so I’m really stoked to be starting with Bell next year. I’m also really proud to have my name added to the list of great Bell Riders that goes back to the origins of the sport.”
As Stewart alluded to, one of the reasons so many top riders are drawn to the Moto-8 is its comfort factor. At the heart of the Moto-8 is Bell’s exclusive Velocity Flow Ventilation system that uses a sophisticated set of vents, ducts, exhaust ports and flow management features to create a natural turbulence engine which literally pulls air through the helmet. This coupled with its lightweight TriMatrix Composite shell, easy-to-adjust Flying Bridge Visor and quick drying comfort liner, provides a hassle- and fatigue-free experience while keeping the rider cool and dry. The Moto-8 was designed, engineered, tested and prototyped from the ground up at Bell’s Santa Cruz, Calif. facility over a period of three years. Bell engineers have continued to tweak the design since its introduction, bringing an already excellent design even closer to perfection.
###
Rider: James Stewart
DOB: December 21, 1985
Residence: Haines City, Fla.
2008 AMA Motocross National Champion
2007 AMA Supercross Champion
2006 FIM WSXGP Supercross Champion
2004 AMA 125 East Supercross Champion
2004 AMA 125 Motocross National Champion
2003 AMA 125 West Supercross Champion
2002 AMA 125 Motocross National Champion
Rookie of the Year Nico Izzi signs with Bell to ride Moto-8 helmet
2008 Rookie of the Year Nico Izzy rips it on Bell. Photo: Frank Hoppen
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Bell Powersports has signed 18 year old motocross phenom Nico Izzi to compete and train exclusively in Bell helmets. Recently named the 2008 AMA Motocross/Supercross Rookie of the Year, Izzi has been racing since he was four years old and has more than 100 major amateur titles under his belt.
“We’ve always been impressed with Nico both on and off the track,” said Bell Sports Marketing Manager Chuck Platt. “We’re pretty stoked about getting him on-board as a Bell Rider.”
Click for a 360 view of the 2009 Bell Moto-8 in Orange Plaid.
Izzi turned pro at the end of 2007 and is in the midst of racing his first full season in the AMA Supercross and Motocross Lites pro classes. The much-heralded rookie currently sits fifth in the AMA Motocross Lites standings and finished third overall in the 2008 AMA Supercross Lites East competition earlier in the year.
Izzi joins Bell’s formidable off-road roster which includes Nick Wey, Michael Byrne, and Grant Langston, as well as the Yamaha of Troy and KTM MDK factory teams.
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Team rider has been wearing a custom-painted Moto-8 for the last three rounds of the outdoor season. He hails from Saint Claire, Mich. but also lives in Murietta, Calif. part of the year.
###
Nico Izzi, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing RM-Z250, #341
-2008 AMA Motocross/Supercross Rookie of the Year
- 3rd Place Overall - 2008 AMA Supercross Lites East
- 5th Place Overall - 2008 AMA Motocross Lites
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