So the deals are starting to surface and this one will come as no shock to long time Motocross and Supercross fans. Weston Peick has resigned with the JGR Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team for 2019 to race both the Motocross and Supercross series.

Peick, who hails from Menifee California, had a standout year in 2018 and was one of the most consistent riders through both seasons. He has been part of the JGR Factory program for five years now and i think his time with the bike has given the hardworking rider the consistency that the team are now enjoying. Considering he was riding most of the year with torn tendons in his hand he somehow managed to finish sixth overall in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross standings and added eleven top tens in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. He was finally forced to go under the knife and have corrective surgery which saw him miss the final round but with the injury now behind him i think we can expect a much better show for Peick in 2019.

Weston Peick

JGR Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing

"I'm excited to continue this partnership. The team has been like a family to me ever since the first day I signed with them. Being able to surround myself with such a great group of professionals has been an awesome experience. I'm looking forward to improving my results next year and having another season on the Suzuki RM-Z450. Development has gone very well and we will be ahead of the game heading into the Anaheim Supercross opener."

As expected JGR Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team manager Jeremy Albrecht is very happy to have retained Peick.

Jeremy Albrecht

JGR Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team manager

"Weston has been great for us. He is a team player, and also very tough. I appreciate that he rode through the pain of an injured hand this year and gave it his all. He produced good results when other riders in that same situation probably would have thrown in the towel. Weston also really gels well with the Suzuki RM-Z450. There's great synergy with that pairing."

It will be interesting to see how the team get on after a rough 2019 which saw them lose both Bogle and Hill to injuries, with a strong refreshed team i think we will see some stand out performances.

Phil Nicoletti to exit the US

So silly season rolls on and wow i did not expect this one that's for sure! After a huge Motocross season in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Phil Nicoletti will be leaving the US and heading to Canada to compete in the upcoming four round 450 Pro SX Tour segment of the Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series. He has also signed on to ride the entire 2019 Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series which means his time in USA seems to be at an end.

The twenty nine year old from Cochecton, New York who currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina rode his heart out this season and clocked in a series ending sixth place overall in the outdoor Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. That is what makes this move strange for me as it felt like he was really starting to gel with the new 450 Factory Edition Husky but i guess he is looking for a new challenge outside the US and will now be piloting a Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha.

Nicoletti was a very successful amateur before he moved up to the pro circuit in 2006. A testament to his drive and passion is that he rode his first few years as a privateer in the 250 classes in which he was spotted by JGR Yamaha at which he spent five great years with before moving on to Husqvarna. His career highlights include more than thirty top ten to top three finishes.

Steve Simms

Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha team manager

"Phil will be a great addition to the team. He's a solid motocross and supercross rider and came through for Rockstar USA this summer and we took an interest in him. Due to our Rockstar partnership it was a no-brainer to sign him when the opportunity came up."

While Nicoletti does not have much Canadian riding experience behind him it sounds like he is very much looking forward to the challenge.

Phil Nicoletti

Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha

"I'm really excited to have signed with Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha and looking forward to this new opportunity that will take me to Canada to race on a brand of bike I am very comfortable with. I haven't seen much of the country and doing the nationals will allow me to experience what I have been told is a really beautiful place. I like new challenges and meeting new people, making new friends, racing new tracks. It keeps things interesting. We'll see what happens but I definitely want to win some races in Canada."

I wish Nicoletti all the luck in the world for his new challenge and i thank him for all the excitement he has given to each and every race he has attended.