The Beursfoon Rockstar Suzuki Team regrets to announce that it has ended its co-operation with Michael Leib with immediate effect.

Michael Leib was a guest rider for the team in a number of supercross races at the end of 2012. He also tested a number of the team's bikes during this period. He was so enamoured of the equipment, that a deal was struck for him to ride in the 2013 MX2 World - and Dutch Championships in the team's colours in 2013. After all, the rider was stuck in no-mans's land after his contract with the CLS Kawasaki team had gone up in smoke. The Beursfoon team was more than willing to help him, seeing as he was regarded as a talented rider who could be a valuable addition to the team.

During the winter period, Michael rode a couple of supercross races for his father's team and unfortunately broke his arm. Regrettably, he resumed racing too soon, without allowing his arm to heal properly, thereby re-breaking the limb. As a result of this, he missed the first few Dutch Championship races, as well as the GP of Valkenswaard. The team maintained weekly contact with the rider, and the news they received was that the arm was not healing optimally.

At the end of May Michael returned to the Netherlands. Despite claiming that he had been maintaining a full training routine, he could not complete riding sessions of more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time. The team was concerned and arranged a meeting with a medical specialist. After further treatment, Michael's injury healed far better.
Not long after, the team had to endure regular complaints from the rider. The co-operation became more worse when Michael was asking for more unattainable things. The team has done everything they could for Michael and has done everything what was written in the contract. The team complied, in the spirit of keeping the riders' minds on their performances on the track. It was not long before that it came to the team's attention that the rider was negotiating for a spot in another team, where he could earn slightly more. This was enough for the team to end the co-operation with Michael Leib with immediate effect.

As true, motocross fans and supporters, the team has been the epitome of generosity in the motocross paddock for the last 15 years. When matters go away in such an unpleasant manner, however, the time has come to reconsider their further participation in the sport. The team will complete the season with Mike Kras and reconsider its position at the end of the season.

John Beijer
Beursfoon Rockstar Suzuki Team