51FIFTY Yamaha and former GEICO Honda and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Zach Bell have agreed to a deal for the 2016 Monster Energy Supercross season. Bell, the team's highest profile signing in its fifth year, will contest the West Region alongside Australian Hayden Mellross.
"It's a solid move for 51FIFTY as we continue to grow entering our fifth year as a team," explains team manager, Craig Monty. "Zach certainly has the speed, anyone who watches him knows that, and we can't wait for Anaheim 1."
"I'm fired up to be part of the 51FIFTY team," says Bell. "The program is strong and from the first day I rode the practice bike, I adapted right away to the YZ. As a team we have the same realistic goals and, personally, it's great having confidence in the bike, team staff, and total program. I feel this can be a break-out year for me and just ready to keep moving forward."
After winning the 2012 AMA Horizon Award, Bell made his debut with GEICO Honda at the Southwick National. In his three-plus seasons as a professional Bell has been hampered by injuries and crashes, including one the scariest crashes in SX history, when a scrub went wrong at the 2013 250SX East Region opener.
After two-plus seasons with GEICO Honda, Bell signed with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna last season, but missed all but one round of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross due to a head injury. When we last checked in with him over the summer, Bell pegged his recovery at seven months to a year.
