Stewart tops list of riders on Bell Helmets for 2009 as A1 looms

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

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.

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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