Jordon Smith Moves to Troy Lee Designs KTM
Earlier this season, the GEICO Honda team was said to have re-signed both Jordon Smith and RJ Hampshire to long-term deals that would lock them up through the rest of their 250 careers. But before those deals became official, word came out at Washougal that Smith and the GEICO team had decided not to sign the extension, and instead parted ways.
While Hampshire's GEICO Honda deal was renewed, Smith went shopping for a new ride, and found one with Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull KTM. Yesterday he went to his Instagram account to show off his new colors and new national number for 2017.
Smith won't be the only new addition to the TLD squad, as Alex Martin is also making the move over from Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha.
But what led Smith and GEICO Honda to part? Of course that depends on what side you talk to. We've heard the team was struggling with bike set up problems throughout the Nationals, but we also hear that Smith was committed to a different training program than the other team riders, working at the Millsaps Training Facility in Georgia while the other riders worked out of the team's facility in California. The two sides agreed to move on, and Smith was able to find a good landing spot with TLD KTM.
