Currently second in the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship, Arnaud Tonus has decided that the vast arena of AMA Supercross and Motocross will be his next big challenge. The 23 year old has agreed a two year contract with the most decorated squad on the American scene and will be a Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki representative in 2015. The only other racer to have won an MX2 Grand Prix in 2014, Tonus had several decent offers to remain in Europe and switch to a factory ride in MXGP but has decided that a chance to team-up with renowned tuner and mentor Mitch Payton in Corona, California was too good to pass up.
“It’s a dream for me to go and ride there and like I have been saying all along that my decision would always be based on my heart rather than any other factor like money,” Tonus said. “It is a good arrangement because I can stay with Kawasaki, Monster and other partners that I have at the moment.”
Apparently an official communication is being drafted by Kawasaki and should be released at some point over the course of the Grand Prix of Italy – round ten – this weekend.
Tonus has long been a fan of Supercross and has walked the podium of the Geneva indoor event, one of the premier winter SX meetings in Europe. This year he is second in the FIM MX2 standings by over 52 points. “I think it is great,” said Kawasaki Motor Europe Racing Manager Steve Guttridge exclusively. “If I a rider can see an option or fulfil a dream in the USA, stay with Kawasaki and join the best team then that is a fantastic opportunity. For me it is fine whether he is on a Kawasaki in Europe or in the U.S.”
Rumours have intensified over the last week and since Tonus confirmed that the direction of his career would be clarified after the Grand Prix of France where he captured his sixth podium finish from nine rounds. His impending departure is a blow for the MXGP category where the Swiss’ presence would have augmented the strength of the class, but perhaps is a small symptom of the 23 age rule imposed on the MX2 division that sees riders having to move away from 250cc capacity motorcycles. Tonus has reached the top level of MX2 Grand Prix after two years of frustration, pain and absence through injury; he has simply run out of time to consider a renewed MX2 title campaign in 2015. The allure of Pro Circuit cannot also be understated and it would be difficult for a top motocross racer to turn down interest from the American outfit.
“It is a two year deal and it is still to be decided on which coast I will race 250SX supercross but it will be a challenge and an experience for sure,” Tonus added.
Photo by Ray Archer
