Monticelli joins Monster Energy KRT for MXGP 2021

Ivo Monticelli has signed with the Monster Kawasaki team to contest the 2021 MXGP World Championship alongside Romain Febvre.

The 26-year-old will enter his tenth season in the FIM World Championship and his fourth in the MXGP class. After finishing in the top five at several rounds of the premier class in 2019, Monticelli defied a persistent knee injury last season to regularly claim top ten results and showed resilience to end the season with top eight results during the last few GPs.

Monticelli had surgery immediately after the final round of the 2020 MXGP series and is now ready to start riding the KX450-SR Kawasaki.

Both riders will work closely with Jacky Vimond as the French coach has renewed his cooperation with the team managed by team owner Thierry Chizat Suzzoni assisted by technical manager, Vincent Bereni.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to join KRT and a factory team; there aren’t so many factory rides in MXGP so for me it’s an honour and a kind of dream-come-true,” said Monticelli.

“I already spent some time with the staff and everything feels perfect! I didn’t test the bike yet as I had knee surgery after the last GP; I struggled with my knee all-season-long so the doctors cleaned it up and fixed the meniscus which had a small crack.

“I had to rest for a few weeks but I was able to start training physically and now I’m ready to test the bike; it’s just a matter of days now and I can’t wait to ride the KX450-SR. I already start working with Jacky Vimond and the team physiotherapist; I’m so happy to work with such professional people.

“I have known Jacky for a long time but it’s the first time in my career that I have had the opportunity to work on a daily basis with a trainer; I’m sure it will help me to improve a lot with all these people around me.

“My aim is to be consistent; I really want to race for top-five results and I’m sure that it’s possible if everything runs to plan. I’m sure that I will learn a lot racing alongside a former world champion like Romain; I can’t wait to start riding with him.”

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