News 31 Jan 2013

Moss out, Suzuki exploring options for teammate to Cooper

Multiple-time Australian champion Matt Moss is currently without a seat for the 2013 season after negotiations with Motul Pirelli Suzuki fell through this week.

Matt Moss is unlikely to be with Motul Pirelli Suzuki in 2013. Image: Grant Reynolds/FiftySix Clix.

Matt Moss is unlikely to be with Motul Pirelli Suzuki in 2013. Image: Grant Reynolds/FiftySix Clix.

Multiple-time Australian champion Matt Moss is currently without a seat for the 2013 season after negotiations with Motul Pirelli Suzuki fell through this week.

Moss, 24, was poised to spearhead Suzuki’s MX1 assault in the Monster Energy MX Nationals this year alongside Kiwi Cody Cooper, as well as return for the Terex Australian Supercross Championships.

But the deal between Moss and Suzuki has turned south this month, Moss confirming to MotoOnline.com.au that his offer has been revoked at this point.

“I had a deal with Suzuki, obviously I was trying to negotiate a little bit better deal as everybody does, and then in the last week and a half I couldn’t get through to Suzuki Australia.

“I felt like something was going on and then yeah, I got a message saying they reneged my contract. I was pretty shattered, pretty devastated.

“The contract I received was on the 14th of January, two weeks ago. I guess when a better offer comes along they jump at it and forget about the people who have been behind them for years before.”

After a season and a half with JDR Motorsports aboard KTMs, Moss returned to Suzuki in Australia at the end of 2012 for supercross, but was injured in Dubbo’s season-opener and forced out of the remaining three rounds.

Suzuki Australia general manager Perry Morison confirmed to MotoOnline.com.au this afternoon that the team has in fact pulled back its offer to Moss at this stage, currently exploring its options.

The Motul Pirelli Suzuki team has already re-signed Cooper in a motocross-only deal alongside his NZ motocross duties for 2013, and will field a second factory-backed RM-Z450 in the MX Nationals and supercross.

“We made Matt an offer and weren’t able to get him to agree to it for quite a while,” Morison commented. “We haven’t closed the door on him completely, but right now we are looking at our options.”

Morison was unable to confirm potential candidates as of posting time. Stay tuned for more when we have it.

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