Yamaha and Dean Ferris part ways

Dean Ferris and the British Bike it Yamaha Cosworth team will not contest the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship together, after deciding to dissolve their agreement this week.

Steve Dixon, owner and manager of the English-based squad that has been present in Grand Prix racing for over two decades, was moved to comment.

“Dean, who is now 23 years old, realised after his great starts and results at the Motocross of Nations that his 250 class career was really only just starting,” explained Dixon. “Since the Nations, Dean and I have talked over his future and through experience I have learnt it is never good to retain a rider whose heart is elsewhere – it would only affect team spirit and potentially all the sponsors and partners. I took a few weeks to think about it and I feel happy I have made the right decision to let Dean financially compensate the contract, and follow his dream to race supercross in the US. It may be the only shot he gets, so I did not want to stand in the way.”

“We are a strong and well established team that does not rely on one rider to get us through the season,” continued Dixon. “We have a great record of picking riders and releasing their potential. Right now we have exciting times ahead with the development of the fantastic new 2014 YZ250F and getting Max Anstie to be a regular podium finisher.”

“It was hard at first for Dean to approach me as he did not want to let us or Yamaha down – he was grateful for such a good opportunity in 2013 to show what he was finally capable of,” said Dixon. “Lastly, it is good that all of this has been carried out amicably and professionally and that both us and Dean both go into 2014 happy with our decision.”

Word on the street is that Ferris has a deal lined up with the Red Bull KTM team in the US to race the 2014 AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, in the 250SX Class. Stay tuned for further developments.