The Teka Group's involvement with both the Teka Suzuki World MX1 and Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 teams has allowed the Belgian and German efforts respectively to shine throughout the 2009 FIM Motocross World Championship and in total, RM-Z technology was able to celebrate three victories and accumulate 13 podium appearances in both classes of the 15 Grand Prix series.
Although injury niggles for Ken De Dycker and a fractured neck for Steve Ramon prevented the Teka Suzuki WMX1 squad from earnestly challenging for the MX1 crown, the Belgian duo were able to pick up nine trophies between them and keep the Teka-emblazoned RM-Z450 at the front of the field in the premier class. The emergence of 15-year-old German star Ken Roczen belied all expectations and the teenager helped establish the credentials of the Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 set-up at the highest level by rising to fifth in the final MX2 standings despite missing the first four rounds until he had reached his 15th birthday.
Among several memorable occasions, the main highlights of the year for the Teka Suzuki collective were the home victories recorded by Roczen at Teutschenthal and De Dycker at Lommel. Teka were prevalent in their presence around the periphery of Grand Prix circuits and also in the creation of the Teka Station hospitality unit.
Roczen will be braced for his first full term in 2010 and enters the campaign as a championship contender thanks to his four podiums from 11 rounds and 21 top-10 finishes from 22 motos. He will be joined by promising Swiss talent Arnaud Tonus. Ramon will aim to capture the team's second MX1 crown in what will be his fifth season in Suzuki colours and he is joined by another Belgian, Clement Desalle, who, with two wins from a privateer team in 2009, was very much the new stylish star of the category.
"It has been another positive year for the Teka Group in their association with both the Teka Suzuki World MX1 and Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 teams," commented Teka Group CEO Marcus Bau. "It is exciting for us to be involved in Grand Prix motocross and this was seen clearly in the amazing season had by Ken Roczen, who exploded onto the scene at 15 years old in a way that no-one could have imagined. To see his development with his style and the results was very special and the German Grand Prix was an undoubted highlight.
"I want to give thanks to the staff of both teams who pushed very hard for success all the way through 2009," Mr Bau added. "Our MX1 victories in Belgium and Holland were proud moments and the emergence of the MX2 team was a pleasure to watch. We increased our presence at the world championship with the Teka Station and overall we hope for more exhilarating moments in 2010."
