Factory Connection Announces Its 2002 Supercross/Motocross Team 

Veteran Mike LaRocco ready to lead young but proven team into battle

ROCHESTER, N.H. (December 11, 2001) Its official! Factory Connection today announced its lineup for the 2001 supercross/motocross season, with veteran Mike LaRocco returning to lead the New Hampshire-based program.

Joining LaRocco on the Factory Connection team will be Chris Gosselaar, Michael Byrne and Travis Preston.

Also figuring in the successful Factory Connection program will be returning sponsors AMSOIL, Dr. Martens, American Honda, ONeal and Scott along with many others that make this great program possible, says team owner Rick Zielfelder.

The riders

Mike LaRocco: The Rock starts his fifth season with Factory Connection the longest stay with any team in his career. Last year LaRocco finished third overall in supercross and fourth in motocross. And though this years supercross competition looks to be the toughest in sometime, Zielfelders optimistic that, with a couple breaks, LaRocco will be there in the end. Mikes preparation is always excellent, said Zielfelder. If we can get a break early, and he can get a win, hell surprise a lot of people with his desire. Another advantage in LaRoccos corner is that he and Zielfelder share one of the best team manager/rider relationships in the business. And Im proud to say that Mike is back for his fifth AND sixth seasons with Factory Connection.

Michael Byrne: Last year Byrne, an Australian, erupted onto the American supercross scene and scored a very impressive top ten overall finish (9th, 250 class) in his rookie season, riding for the now defunct Emig Racing team. Without sponsors at the end of the 2001 supercross season, Byrne headed back to Australia and raced that countrys premier supercross and four stroke series. For Factory Connection, Byrne will race the 125 East Region, 250s at the west races and the 125 class in the Outdoor National Series.

Travis Preston: Last year, Prestons highlight was definitely winning the 125 class at the Houston Astrodome. For the 2002 season, Preston was the final rider selected for this years Factory Connection team. We were struggling with the last guy to pick, explained Zielfelder. So we invited Travis to a test session at Glen Helen and he blew everybody away with how quickly he adapted and how fast he was on an unfamiliar motorcycle. Hes the Man in the whoops. One of the fastest Ive seeneven against the 250 guys. Preston will race the 125 West Region and 125s in the Outdoor National Series.

Chris Gosselaar: In 2000, Gosselaar made two podiums in between battling various injuries. Said Zielfelder: We know Chris struggled with equipment last year, but we think hes a really strong supercross prospect in the 125 West Region, and will complement (Travis) Preston really well. In addition, Gosselaar will race the 125 class in the Outdoor Nationals. Noteworthy: Chris father, Mike, works with Honda Racing in its in-house testing and development department.

AMSOIL Supercross/Motocross Info

News Contact:
Jeremy Meyer
Racing Coordinator
(715) 392-7101 ext. 220