Jake Shipton agrees terms for 2021 with Apico Husqvarna Racing
By Andrew Hill on 20th Nov 20
Apico Husqvarna Racing has announced the signing of Jake Shipton who will compete on the 2021 FC 450 in both the ACU British Motocross Championship and Michelin MX Nationals.
Shipton joins an otherwise unchanged 2021 team line-up with Stuart Edmonds also on the 450 while Jamie Law and Matt Burrows swing their legs over the 250 two-stroke machines for MX2 across the British top-flight championships.
Jake, who was initially looking at a support deal with Apico Factory Racing for the upcoming season, decided to switch machinery and become part of the team.
"I've noticed Apico Husqvarna in the paddock over recent years and only heard positive things about the team," said Shipton. "I liked what I saw bikes well turned out, a professional team set up, plus a fun approach to racing. I'm super excited to be joining the Apico family and riding the already proven Husqvarna FC 450."
The three-time Patchquick Trophy winner and two-time British Masters champion had a torrid 2020 season, missing the campaign after needing surgery but is ready for the challenge of 2021 and hopes to return to the podium again soon.
"Next season is a huge change for me but Im confident its for the better," he added. "From the first conversation with Dylan and Anna, I felt a sense of comfort and welcoming. My main goal is to be a podium guy each weekend and get more wins to my name.
"With the amazing brands/products Apico have, Im sure this is more than possible. I took the shortened season of 2020 to get an ongoing problem fixed which needed an operation so for 2021 Ill be more than ready and riding to my full potential again."
As the Apico Husqvarna team prepare to enter their seventh year in top-flight motocross, the opportunity to expand the team by adding another rider to the MX1 line up was too good an opportunity to miss. "Id followed Jakes results in 2019 and I was impressed with his podium finishes at the ACU British Championship and MX Nationals whilst winning the Bridgestone Masters MX1 Championship," said Apico's Dylan Brown.
"Jake approached me a few weeks ago to ask if we would be in a position to offer him a ride in the team. After putting a package together, we reached an agreement and Im happy to announce Jake Shipton will be riding for Apico Husqvarna in 2021.
"All the team riders are preparing in the off-season, with Matt and Jamie recovering from similar injuries and Stuart looking to improve upon his 2020 programme. Im sure Jake will fit into the team well and bring solid results as he has before. This year has been tough for everyone and were hoping for things to return to normal in time for the gate to drop in the 2021 season. Thank you to all the sponsors that allow us to go racing."
More like this…
Josh Spinks 2021 deal and switch to Honda
Josh Spinks has announced his 2021 plans after extending his time with PGVM Racing.
Wilcomoto 500 - Best of British?
The Wilcomoto 500 is an extremely rare and fully British built machine from the early 1980s and a bike that was destined for big things in the motocross world although somehow it never made the impact that was originally predicted…
Lewis Tombs searching for ride as he leaves Verde Sports Racing
Lewis Tombs has missed out on a renewal with Verde Sports Racing and has now found himself in a difficult riders’ market for 2021.