Zitat

---

Team Finland finishes 17th in the MXoN

The grand final of the motocross season, the Motocross of Nations, gathered all the best riders of all continents to Saint Jean d’Angely in France to strive their best in order to reach the champion tittle. 36 countries raced on Saturday for qualification to the A-final, Finland made the cut. The riders for team Finland were Antti Pyrhönen (MX1), Ludde Söderberg (MX2) and Toni Eriksson (open class). The Finnish Federation had set the official goal in qualifying to A-final. Finland finished 17th in the high level race.

After the GP season final the teams gathered to the clay track of Saint Jean d’Angely to race in the grand final of the season Motocross of Nations. The Finnish team consisted of Antti Pyrhönen, Ludde Söderberg and Toni Eriksson who replaced the injured rider Harri Kullas.

“Our goal is to qualify directly to the A-final. If we can do that, we’ll be pleased”, summed the coaching director ofFinnish Motorcyckling Federation Tomi Konttinen the team goals for the race. Finland qualified 19th to the final on Saturday and the reached the goal set.

“It’s really nice to go and ride today, since we got the solid result yesterday. The track is perfect and speed fast. All the best riders of the world are here, of course it is an honor to represent Finland among the great ones”, said happy Söderberg.

The Sunday’s race was ridden in variable conditions. The sun and rain alternated all through the day and kept the track slippery. Finland finished 17th in the final on Sunday. The Motocross of Nations was won by the favorite USA with the teamRyan Villopoto (open class), Ryan Dungey (MX1) ja Blake Bagget (MX2). Second in the race was France with the team Marvin Musquin (MX2), Gautier Paulin (open class) and Christophe Pourcel (MX1) and third Australia with the team Chad Reed (MX1), Brett Metcalfe (opne class) and Matt Moss (MX2).

“It’s amazing to drive in front of this crowed, 40 000 motocross fans bring in the heat. The starts had to be good today. The first moto was better, I found my riding rhythm then, but all in all I’m satisfied with the weekend. The team we put together was the best we could do now that Harri is injured and we did a good job”, described Antti Pyrhönen the team effort after the race.

ICE1RACING team rider return to Finland and compete in the season final in Finnish Championships October 22nd in Lahti.

---

Zitat

---

Finnish ICE1RACING team signs Australian Dean Ferris


The ICE1RACING motocross team of Kimi Räikkönen has signed young Australian prospect Dean Ferris to compete in the 2012 MX1 FIM World championship series. The team, managed by Kari Tiainen, seven-times Enduro World Champion, is new to the Grand Prix scene, and brings with it a wealth of experience with two of the most successful motorsport athletes of Finland, Räikkönen and Tiainen, who have promoted Finnish talents in the past season striving to create possibilities for new talents. Ferris is considered the best newcomer entering the MX1 series.
TheICE1RACING motocross team of Kimi Räikkönen has inked a deal with 21-year-old Australian rider Dean Ferris for the 2012 MX1 GP season. The young talent will compete in his first full season of World Championship motocross, after competing in the highly contested Australian Championships where he raced for the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team. Ferris lead the championship from the start up to the penultimate round when a torn thumb ligament put him out of the running.

“I am really excited about joining ICE1RACING. It is a relatively new team in world championship motocross but the guys in the team are really experienced and know what it takes to win races. It’s a real family sphere and they have made me feel welcome already which is great – I feel at home with them. Their goals are realistic and I have no doubt that they will support me in every way to achieve my goals ”, commented a pleased Ferris on his decision.

Räikkönen, who moved from F1 to WRC, expanded his motorsport variation by founding a motocross team ICE1RACING to compete in MX1 and MX2 in the Grand Prix circus this season. “The season 2011 we gave for Finns. Young talents need to be supported and we wanted to be a part of giving the Finnish Champions a chance. This is how we feel with Dean also. He’s a great rider already, we want to see how far he can go”, cheered Räikkönen for the team’s newcomer.

TheEuropean Race Planning Manager of Kawasaki Motors Europe, Steve Guttridge feels also very satisfied with the union."The ICE1RACING team have arrived at MXGP's this year and presented a very calm but professional structure for Kawasaki. I think adding a guy like Dean into the team for 2012 can only be a good thing. Dean can make the full time move from Australia where he already races the KX450F to the highest level and so move into the ICE1 team very easily, working well together for the best results possible next season for the team and Kawasaki"
The team managed by Kari Tiainen, seven-time Enduro World Champion was very pleased about the new edition to the team. "Dean has raced for Kawasaki in Australia and was very close to winning them a title so the fit is perfect for us. Kawasaki has supported us in this next step and we feel Dean has the potential to grow with us”, explained Tiainen.

Ferris is excited about the new relationship, “I really enjoy the Kawasaki and have had great support from Kawasaki Australia and now that support is being extended here in Europe. I tested the ICE1RACING Kawasaki 450 and I love it!”

---

http://www.ice1racing.fi