More rumors confirmed: Jeremy Martin has now officially announced he has signed a two-year deal with GEICO Honda for the 2017 and 2018 seasons of Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross. The deal keeps Martin in the 250 class for 2017, but will move him to a Honda CRF450R full-time in 2018.
“I'm very excited to finally announce I've signed a two-year deal with the GEICO Honda team,” said Martin in a press release today. “They're a proven, championship winning team and I'm excited to reach a new level on the 250 next year and continue the relationship through the 2018 season as a rookie 450 rider.”
"Everyone at GEICO Honda is happy to have Jeremy Martin coming to our team,” said GEICO Honda Team Manager Mike LaRocco. “He has that burning desire to be great and I look forward to working with him. He's a great addition to our team."
Martin, of Millville, Minnesota, won the 2014 and 2015 AMA 250 National Motocross Championships and has won 11 career AMA National Motocross races and four career AMA 250 Supercross events, along with collecting 12 supercross podiums finishes. He's ridden for the Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha team since late in his amateur career, however, so the move to Hondas is a big one.
Martin struggled from his usual standards this season fighting fatigue and eventually a rib injury which ended his season early. However the Star Yamaha team continued to roll, with Cooper Webb winning the title Martin had taken the last two years. GEICO Honda struggled outdoors with injuries and inconsistency, but did score the 250SX East Region Championship with Malcolm Stewart. Overall, this is a move from one powerhouse 250 unit to another. But with Star losing Webb (graduating to 450 class) and both Martin brothers (Alex Martin is expected to sign with Troy Lee Designs KTM) this move could really impact the balance of power in the class.
We won't have to wait long to see how the new combination fares. Martin will make his racing debut with the team at the Glen Helen MXGP of the USA in the MX2 (250) class next weekend, September 10-11, in San Bernardino, California.
