Team CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy Pro Circuit has announced that they have signed America’s James ‘Jimmy’ Decotis to contest the remaining rounds of the 2013 FIM Motocross World Championship in the MX2 class.

After a rough start to their 2013 campaign with star rider Arnaud Tonus being injured, team owner Jean-Jacques Luisetti is looking to turn their season around with Decotis aboard their factory KX250F.

The former GEICO Honda rider will fly to Europe as soon as possible and immediately begin testing and training before he kicks off his maiden GP season in Italy for round four of the series.

“It is impossible to predict a date for Arnaud’s return to racing so we had to respect our commitment to all of our sponsors; they have a right to expect results and CLS has a long record of delivering success,” said Luisetti. In fact it was Mitch Payton of Pro Circuit and Mitch Covington of Monster Energy who put us in contact with Decotis.

“I have only spoken to James on the phone so far, but I was immediately very impressed by his seriousness and professional attitude which confirmed the belief shown in him by Pro Circuit and Monster Energy.”

Although Decotis’ contract is for the remainder of 2013 only, if he plays his cards right he may be offered a permanent spot for the 2014 season.

“Our contract with James is for the remainder of the 2013 GP season and, when Arnaud is ready to return to racing, we will enter three riders in the series together with Alessandro Lupino,” he added. “If all goes to expectations, James will also have the opportunity to stay with CLS in 2014.”

The 21-year-old from Massachusetts will cut his Monster Energy Supercross Eastern Regional 250SX campaign short after laying down solid results to date aboard his privateer Honda.