With all factory backed riders there comes a great sense of relief when their teams back them for substantial periods under contract. Unlike other jobs where people tend to slack off a bit when they know they are safe financially factory riders usually produce their best riding! Husqvarna have announced this week that they are extending the contracts with a double Tom wammy of Thomas Covington and Thomas Kjer-Olsen. The new contracts will see Covington into 2020 and Kjer-Olsen to the end of the 2018 season.
Currently holding 3rd in his first season in the MX2 class 20 year old Thomas Kjer-Olsen is riding his heart out! He has already picked up 2 race wins this year and also grabbed an overall in Latvia! Rockstar Energy Husqvarna have been so impressed with the Danish rider they have flat out offered him 3 more years with the team!
His name brother and 250 MX2 team mate Thomas Covington currently sits in 6th place, no mean feat in itself! No stranger to the podium he grabbed his best win at the MXGP of Mexico where he took the days overall. He will also remain at Husqvarna but untill the end of the 2018 Championship.
Thomas Kjer-Olsen
"I’m over the moon to be continuing my career with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. I’ve been working really hard and the results we’ve been getting this year show we’re in a very good position. To remain with such a well-organised and professional team for another three ears, I strongly believe this will allow me to take my performances to an even higher level.
"I’ll continue doing my best for podium results and race victories this season and then the plan is to come back even stronger in 2018. Taking one step at a time my focus is to improve on my speed while staying as consistent as possible. If our goal for the current season has been the MX2 class podium, in 2018 I believe I could be a strong contender for the title."
Thomas Covington
"I’m really excited to be staying with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 team and Jacky Martens for another year. Things have been going quite well for us and I believe there is a very strong connection with each member of our team. Together with my teammate Thomas I think we will make a very strong team for the coming season.
"We’ve made some big improvements with the setup of the FC 250 recently and we will keep working on the small details. The results have started to show the hard work we’re all putting in and the goal is to keep that momentum going. If we keep doing what we do, trying to remain consistent, I believe there will be more race victories coming our way in the near future."
Jacky Martens
Husqvarna Team Manager and ex pro
"We’re extremely pleased that we will continue working with these two young and talented riders. Kjer-Olsen is unquestionably one of the biggest surprises of this season. As the reigning European Motocross Champion, it took him no time to show his speed in MX2. He’s been impressively fast since the first GP this season and we believe that he’s got much more to give in the future.
This is our second year working together with Thomas Covington, who has also proved time and time again that he is a real professional. Going from strength-to-strength in the series, we strongly believe that he is more than capable to consistently battle for GP victories. With these two riders in our team for 2018 we strongly believe we will battle for the MX2 title next season."
Diego Clement
Head of Husqvarna Motorsport
"We’re delighted to be extending the contracts of both Kjer-Olsen and Covington. Despite their relatively young age both riders have shown what they’re capable of and we’re happy they’ll continue racing with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. Speaking for everyone involved, it is a real pleasure that we are extending our working relationship with these two riders.
"Kjer-Olsen has really impressed us all with his performance so far during his rookie season in MX2. Combining raw speed, consistency and a highly professional attitude, we believe he has a very strong future ahead of him. Working with Covington since 2016, we’ve seen what the American is capable of and look forward to further supporting his title aspirations."