 | Click the following link to check out a 30-photo gallery of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team riders. For their Suzuki-supplied bios, check below. |
Mike Alessi
Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team
When it comes to professionalism in racing, there are few racers who can compete with Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team’s newly signed Mike Alessi. Starting his first year with this new team, the 19-year-old rider considers professionalism to be an important factor in his pursuit of a premier-class championship. According to Alessi, the main quality that drew him to the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team was that the team’s work ethic and professional attitude were right in line with his own. This impressive trait can be attributed to legendary racer and Team Manager Roger DeCoster.
“Roger DeCoster is great,” said Alessi. “He is very professional and puts all of his heart into his job. I think he is a great mentor for me and I hope our relationship grows stronger the longer that I am on this team.”
Of course, as important as DeCoster’s presence is, it wasn’t the only appealing factor for Alessi. Additionally, the young Californian was eager to work with the entire Rockstar Makita Suzuki team and to race the brand-new 2008 fuel-injected RM-Z450.
“The new Rockstar Makita Suzuki team is great,” enthused Alessi. “All of the team at Suzuki is so professional. They want to make sure the job gets done right the first time and I’m glad to help in any way possible.”
In addition to the supportive members of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team, Alessi is also really enthusiastic about racing the new Suzuki in the premier classes for AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross.
“I love the bike, it is awesome,” he stated. “The fuel-injected RM-Z450 is easy to ride. I haven’t had the chance to ride it in a motocross environment yet, but I am sure I will love it because of how much I like it in Supercross. I feel so comfortable riding it in Supercross and I’m not afraid of the whoops anymore. I feel like I can ride the RM-Z to the best of my ability and not have to hold back at all.”
As Alessi contemplates the 2008 race season, he is happy with his new team and with his new motorcycle. But racing, as with any endeavor, is a two-way street. Alessi is aware of what Suzuki brings to the table, but as a new team member, he is also aware that he is equally obligated to Suzuki. Fortunately, the young rider is more than adequately prepared for this challenge.
“I would say that that main thing I bring to the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team is my motocross ability,” he said. “I have always been a strong Outdoors rider and I feel on the new Suzuki RM-Z450 that I can get to where I want to be in that series. I also think I might surprise a lot of people in Supercross this year!”
When making plans for the upcoming race season, Alessi is very goal-oriented. He has a specific idea of what he wants to accomplish and how he wants to accomplish it. On top of that, he has identified his strengths and weaknesses and does his best to play on the former and improve upon the latter.
“My main challenge for 2008 Supercross and Motocross is making sure I ride to the best of my ability,” Alessi asserted. “I hope I can make sure the Suzuki stays on top. At the same time, my main goal for both series is to go out and put my heart and soul into the motorcycle and the team. I need to make sure I do well.”
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 150 lb.Classes of Racing Entered:
AMA Supercross, Supercross Class
AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, Motocross ClassHis Motorcycle:
Look for the yellow No. 800 Suzuki RM-Z450, tuned by mechanic Mike GosselaarPersonal items:
Born: May 19, 1988. Single and living with his family in Victorville, California. When not training, Alessi is extremely focused on winning and he trains on his Suzuki RM-Z450 three days a week, and then spends the remainder of his time at the gym and riding his road bicycle.Noted Accomplishments:
2007
Second overall with six podiums, AMA Motocross class2006
Second overall with one victory and eight additional podiums, AMA Motocross Lites2005
Third overall with two victories and two additional podiums, AMA Motocross Lites2004
Finished in third-place overall in the MX class in his second-ever AMA Motocross at Steel CityRacing History:
Alessi has been racing since he was 3 years old and he turned Pro in 2004 when he was 16. This decision came after Alessi won an amazing 11 amateur titles at Loretta Lynn's. He podiumed in his second-ever AMA Motocross event at Steel City in 2004, alongside former Suzuki racer Ricky Carmichael. Alessi picked up his first factory ride the next year and finished the season third overall in the Motocross Lites Class and then finished second overall in the MX Lites in 2006. Last year, Alessi moved up to the Motocross class and finished an impressive second overall in his first year on the big bikes. This is Alessi’s first year with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Team.
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David Vuillemin
Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team
Veteran Supercross and Motocross Champion David Vuillemin is one of several new members of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team this year, and the Frenchman is excited about joining a new team for 2008. Again contesting the premier classes in AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross, 30-year-old Vuillemin brings a wealth of experience to Suzuki, thanks to multiple European championships, race wins and more than 40 combined SX/MX podium positions.
Granted, any change requires some getting used to but Vuillemin maintains he is adjusting to his new Rockstar Makita Suzuki team just fine. He has already been testing the brand-new 2008 fuel-injected Suzuki RM-Z450 and has been working on bike set-up with his mechanic and with Team Manager Roger DeCoster.
“I'm adjusting fine to being with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team,” said Vuillemin. “The team is really professional and has a lot of experience so it's been going good. The best part for me is to be in a factory team and know that the equipment will be great. It's also good to have Roger in the team so that I can use his knowledge and experience as an advantage. We have tested a few times and I like his input. He's a legend as a rider and manager but he has a lot of knowledge in the technology/mechanical department.”
With more than two decades of racing experience under his belt, Vuillemin also brings plenty to the proverbial table. This is particularly important for the 2008 race season since Suzuki has recently introduced a fuel-injected motocross bike in the newest iteration of the RM-Z450. Vuillemin will have many opportunities to help fine-tune the factory bikes.
“I have a lot of experience and I am a decent test rider,” said Vuillemin, “which is good with the arrival of the new Suzuki fuel-injected RM-Z450. I think the new bike is very good. Although I never rode the 2007 RM-Z, the 2008 bike handles really well. Now we just have to figure out a set-up for the bikes that accommodates all three of us (teammates) and we should be good. Overall, I’m looking forward to working with the team to help develop the bike.”
While bike development is indeed always pertinent, Vuillemin also knows that setting his own goals and identifying the upcoming race season’s challenges is equally important. The former top privateer is back with a factory team and is looking to make the best of the opportunity.
“My goals for this season are to be in the top five at every race, in both Supercross and Motocross,” said Vuillemin. “I know it won't be easy but that’s what I'm working toward. The main challenges this year will be all the great riders the series will have. Even though former Suzuki rider Ricky Carmichael won't be there, this Supercross season might be one of the best ever.”
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 180 lb.Classes of Racing Entered:
AMA Supercross, Supercross Class
AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, Motocross ClassHis Motorcycle:
Look for the yellow No. 12 Suzuki RM-Z450, tuned by mechanic Robert McClurePersonal items:
Born: Oct. 18, 1977. Married to wife Erica. The Vuillemins originally met at the Hangtown Classic in 2000 and currently reside in Murrieta, California. She is from Erie, Pennsylvania, and Vuillemin is originally from Bouches du Rhone in France. When not test riding for Suzuki, Vuillemin enjoys basketball, tennis, soccer and going out for sushi with his wife.Noted Accomplishments:
2007
Sixth overall with 13 top-10 finishes, AMA Supercross
Two top-five finishes, Supercross World GP
10th overall with seven top-10 finishes, AMA Motocross2006
Four top-10 finishes after racing only half the races, AMA Supercross
Fourth, U.S. Open of Supercross in Las Vegas
Third, McGrath Invitational Supercross
Third, Bercy Supercross
First, Barcelona Supercross
First, Fuente Alamo Supercross
First privateer and seventh overall with one podium, two top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, AMA Motocross2005
Fourth overall with nine top-five finishes, AMA Supercross
First, Barcelona Supercross
First, Geneva Supercross
Fourth overall with one podium and 10 top-five finishes, AMA Motocross
Second, Motocross des Nations for Team France2004
Fourth overall with six podiums, AMA Supercross
Fourth overall with two podiums and four top-five finishes, AMA Motocross2003
One win and six additional podiums, AMA Supercross
Second place, US Open of Supercross in Las VegasRacing History
David Vuillemin, 30, spent the first part of his career racing and winning 125cc and 250cc Supercross championships in Europe before coming to the U.S. in 2000. Stateside, the Frenchman is a seven-time Supercross winner and three-time Motocross winner. He has more than 40 podium finishes to his credit, and he was the top SX privateer in 2007 and the top MX privateer in 2006. He was also top privateer in MX last year until he was injured at the Millville race in August. This is Vuillemin’s first year with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Team.
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Michael Byrne
Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team
Although this year marks the first season that Michael Byrne will race for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race team, he is no stranger to Suzuki or to Rockstar. The former Australian Champion raced for the now-defunct Rockstar Suzuki team last year in AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross, finishing in seventh- and eighth-place overall respectively. Now moving up to the factory team, Byrne is enthusiastic about the upcoming year and his new team.
“I’m really excited about the move back to a factory team,” said 28-year-old Byrne, who’d raced for a factory effort in the past. “Not too many people get a second chance so I’m very happy about that. I just want to train really hard, which has been made a little bit easy for me because the new fuel-injected RM-Z450 is so good. Right now, overall, I’m just excited about the season.”
Because Byrne has been on a factory-supported team in the past, joining the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Team is not a completely unfamiliar experience. He is eager to work with Suzuki’s professional staff and to focus on helping develop the new Suzuki RM-Z450.
“Whenever you’re on a factory team, you’ve got organization and structure that is better than any privateer team,” he explained. “To be back with people who have a lot of knowledge and who are very, very good at what they do is exciting and I’m happy to be a part of it again. It’s amazing -- the availability of things that we can try and test and develop on the new bike. Also, obviously, having Team Manager Roger DeCoster’s experience in coming from a racing background has been really good too.”
Even as Byrne praises the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team for its experience and professional structure, he also is excited about what he can do for the team and his teammates.
“I think I’m pretty easy-going and I get along with most people,” he said of settling into the new team. “I have a lot of experience with testing and I think I can help out with that a lot and hopefully give the team a better motorcycle. But so far, the new RM-Z450 is pretty good. The biggest thing I’ve noticed is how smooth the power is. With the fuel injection, the power is so smooth that it makes the bike easy to ride. It helps you ride the bike harder because you’re not getting as tired. Also, the power is much more usable and really helps build your confidence on the track when coming to jumps and obstacles.”
With a strong team behind him and a technologically superior motorcycle to race, Byrne couldn’t be happier about racing in 2008. In fact, when contemplating potential challenges, he is most concerned about maintaining his physical well being.
“I just need to stay healthy this year,” he said, having suffered season-ending injuries in the past. “We have one less weekend off during this season, I believe. So, it’s going to be really important to have good recovery after each race. It’s going to be a tough season and a long season, with so many races in a row. Mentally and physically, I’m going to have to be smart with my training, not peak too early, put in some solid races to start and keep building from there.”
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 165 lb.Classes of Racing Entered:
AMA Supercross, Supercross Class
AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, Motocross ClassHis Motorcycle:
Look for the yellow No. 26 Suzuki RM-Z450, tuned by mechanic Tony BerlutiPersonal items:
Born: June 10, 1979. Single, Michael Byrne lives in Newnan, Ga., though the Australian splits his time between Georgia and Southern California, where he comes to test and race the West Coast events. When he does have some infrequent down time, Byrne enjoys mountain biking, and playing basketball and golf.Noted Accomplishments:
2007
Seventh overall with two top-five finishes and nine top-10 finishes, AMA Supercross
Eighth overall with seven top-10 finishes, AMA Motocross2006
Sixth over all with one podium, five top-five finishes and 11 top-10 finishes, AMA Supercross
13th overall with one top-five finish and three top-10 finishes, AMA Motocross2005
15th place overall with one podium and five top-10 finishes, AMA Supercross
Two podium finishes, US Open of Supercross in Las Vegas
Sixth overall with two top-five finishes and eight top-10 finishes, AMA Motocross2004
Sixth overall with two top-five finishes and 11 top-10 finishes, AMA Supercross
Sixth overall with two top-five finishes and seven top-10 finishes, AMA MotocrossRacing History:
Byrne started riding at age 7 after his older brother bought a dirtbike. Raised on a farm in Australia, the young Byrne spent many days riding dirtbikes on his family’s property before he started racing. Once he discovered the competition, he went on to win multiple amateur championships and three Australian titles. Byrne turned Pro at age 16 in 1997, and came to the United States for six months in 2001 to ride for former Supercross Champion Jeff Emig. The following year, he moved stateside permanently to race full-time. This is Byrne’s first year with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Team.
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Ryan Dungey
Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team
As Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team’s Ryan Dungey begins his second year with the factory-supported race team, he is more excited than ever about his chosen career. Last year, Dungey was one of a handful of riders in recent history to transfer straight from amateur racing directly to a factory team. He was recruited by motocross legend and Suzuki Team Manager Roger DeCoster, who enlisted Dungey’s services after one impressive riding session in June of 2006. Now, with a full season of racing AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross under his belt – not to mention being named the AMA’s Rookie of the Year for Supercross/Motocross -- Dungey is properly prepared for the challenges he’ll face in his sophomore season.
“I learned a lot last year,” said 18-year-old Dungey. “In Supercross, I had a few bad races and I made some on-track decisions that I regret. Going into this season, I know I need to be smarter on the track and I need to be more consistent with my racing. I wasn’t as consistent as I’d like to have been last year, but that was my learning year. Now I’ve been through it and I’ll try to not make the same mistakes again. Even though motocross is a lot more physical than Supercross, the lessons are pretty much the same in that I need to race smarter and be more consistent. Also, I need to adapt to the tracks quicker than I did last year.”
Fortunately for Dungey, he has the full support of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team behind him. Led by DeCoster, the Suzuki squad is a tight-knit group that works hard to mentor its young riders.
“Definitely, all of the guys on the Suzuki team give you 110 percent,” said Dungey. “All around, they’re great. At the track, it’s good to have Roger at all the races because he used to race and he understands what it’s like. When I’m struggling in areas, he helps me a lot with bike set-up. And it’s not just Roger, it’s the whole team. When you’re struggling, they help you get through it and get up and running as best as possible.”
In 2007, Dungey raced the East Coast rounds in the AMA Supercross Lites class. He won three races and brought home an additional podium spot, thanks to a third-place finish. In 2008, Dungey will still contest Supercross Lites class but he’ll be racing the West Coast rounds instead. He’s anticipating the challenge.
“I don’t know who else is racing the West Coast rounds, but I’m going in 100 percent,” he said. “I am making sure to do everything I need to do before the season starts with training and everything. I want to be the guy on top. I know I have to work hard, but I really want this and that’s why I give it my all -- because I just want to be the best. To come out on top at the end of the season would be great.”
In addition to the physical and mental preparation that Dungey is doing, he is also equipped with a great race bike in the 2008 Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Team RM-Z250. This bike is similar to the one he raced successfully the previous year, but definitely features some improvements as well.
“It’s a great bike,” said Dungey. “There have been a few little changes here and there but the Suzuki is pretty close to the RM-Z250 I raced last year. For this year, though, we have some better suspension and settings. It’s going to be a winning motorcycle, that’s for sure.”
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 148 lbs.Classes of Racing Entered:
AMA Supercross Series, Supercross Lites Class (West Coast)
AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, Motocross Lites ClassHis Motorcycle:
Look for the yellow No. 28 Suzuki RM-Z250 tuned by mechanic Mark ValcorePersonal items:
Born: Dec. 4, 1989. Single. Dungey lives at home with his family in his hometown of Belle Plaine, Minn. Although these days, he splits most of his time between Minnesota – so he can see his family -- and Southern California and Florida, so he can take advantage of good weather for testing.Noted Accomplishments:
2007
Fifth overall with four wins and one additional podium, AMA Supercross Lites (East Coast)
Fifth overall with four podiums and two top-five finishes, AMA Motocross Lites
Awarded AMA Rookie of the Year for Supercross/Motocross2006
Second place, on the Makita Suzuki RM-Z250, Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP at Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Seventh overall, the Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 (8-8 moto finish) in professional debut at Millville MX
Won the Lites main event on the Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 in the Saturday night program at the Fresno BooKoo ArenacrossAmateur Racing Accomplishments:
Loretta Lynn’s - one championship
Lake Whitney - three championships
Oakhill - three championships
World Mini - four championships
Winter Olympics - two championships
Branson – one championshipRacing History:
Dungey initially got into racing because his dad, Troy, raced as an amateur and instilled his passion for the sport into his sons. Eighteen-year-old Ryan has raced across the country for the better part of the last decade, with mom, Michele, pulling the double duty of parent and team manager. Dungey is considered by many in the motocross industry to be at the top of the next crop of talented riders so it was no surprise that Ryan was named AMA Rookie of the Year for Supercross/Motocross this year. This is his second year racing for the factory Suzuki team.
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Nico Izzi
Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team
At the risk of putting too much pressure on the youngest member of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team, it must be said that 17-year-old Nico Izzi joins the team with an already impressive race resume. After capturing more than 100 major amateur championships, the newly signed Izzi turned Pro last year and promptly brought home a fifth-place finish in his second-ever AMA National motocross. Furthermore, Izzi is well acquainted with Suzuki because he accomplished all these amazing feats while riding Suzuki motorcycles.
“I’m really excited about my first year with the factory team,” said Izzi. “I’ve worked my whole life for this – ever since I started riding motorcycles when I was just 3 years old. Being a factory rider has always been my dream, and it’s finally come true. Now I’m just trying to work really hard and achieve the goals that I’ve always wanted to.”
Although Izzi has certainly given some thought to what it would be like to ride with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Race Team, fantasy doesn’t always live up to reality. Adjustments must be made, compromises must be reached and everyone has to get used to each other. That said, Izzi is settling into his new team quite nicely.
“So far it’s been great,” he said. “Everybody is like one big family here. No one is putting any pressure on me. Team Manager Roger DeCoster is encouraging me to just go out and get some experience racing as a Pro. At the end of last year in AMA Motocross, when I first turned Pro, my goal was to get two top-10 finishes and I did that. I was 10th at Millville, fifth at Steel City and ninth at Glen Helen. I wasn’t trying to set the world on fire, I just wanted to achieve my goal, try to stay consistent and not go over my limits and kill myself. I rode where I knew I should be.”
Izzi’s first few races as a Pro will most likely act as major indicators for how his rookie season will go. At just 17 years old, he is already a smart, seasoned racer who knows how to set and achieve his goals. For AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross, he has given this a lot of thought.
“In Supercross and Motocross, I want to be on the podium every weekend,” he stated. “Although Supercross is kind of new for me, it’s not because I used to race it on 80cc bikes. Supercross is almost like a ballet in that you have to let it flow. If you try to fight it too much, it’ll bite you. It’s not like Motocross, where you can bulldog it. In both series, I hope that it when it comes down to the last races that I’ll be in the championship hunt. I know there are some good guys out there that I’ll be racing against but I believe that if you work hard enough and want it bad enough, you can get it. My goal is to be up there consistently on the podium and be in the title hunt. It can be done.”
Part of the reason that Izzi is so confident in his abilities is his background and his drive, certainly. But another major reason that he is so self-assured is that he has faith in the Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 that he’ll be racing in the Supercross and Motocross Lites classes. In Supercross, Izzi will contest the East Coast rounds while his teammate Ryan Dungey will contest the West Coast events.
“The Suzuki is awesome,” said Izzi. “The whole team, all we do is test and that’s what makes a bike great. The more comfortable I can be on the Suzuki, the faster I’ll be able to go. All I can say is that I love the bike, I love my mechanic and I love the team. Everything is just perfect.”
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 145 lbs.Classes of Racing Entered:
AMA Supercross Series, Supercross Lites Class (East Coast)
AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, Motocross Lites ClassHis Motorcycle:
Look for the yellow No. 341 Suzuki RM-Z250 -- tuned by mechanic Lee McCollumPersonal items:
Born July 17, 1990. Single. At just 17, Izzi still lives with his family, though where they live is the question. They have a home in Murrieta, California, as well as a house in Michigan and property in Georgia. Currently, the Georgia property consists of tracks only but they plan to build a house there in the future. Izzi says it’s rare for him to relax, what with training, testing and being home schooled. As he says, “pretty much everything is dedicated to training and riding.”Noted Accomplishments:
2007
Turned Pro and finished fifth overall at his second-ever AMA Motocross at Steel City (he also finished 10th at Millville and ninth at Glen Helen)Racing History:
Izzi started riding at 3 years old and was racing by the time he was 4. He claims that his father thought that he would fall down once and be done with it. His father was mistaken. By the time Izzi turned 9, he was working with a trainer and winning races and championships. Since then, he has become one of Suzuki’s most decorated amateur racers with more than 100 major amateur championships, all achieved racing for Suzuki. This is Izzi’s first year racing for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Team.
12/21/2007 11:05am
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