Johnny Aubert: “We'll give Beta the credibility they deserve…”
“Joining Beta is something I am very pleased about. I had a good offer from them, which sees me involved in an exciting new project. It will bring me new motivation and I will work with a team that is equally excited by this collaboration. I am happy to bring my experience and help BETA to prove their racing competitiveness, like they already began with Luis Correia.
“I know I can still win. For me there is no doubt. This year I made a good season in the best class, which proved that I am still fast enough. Changing teams after five years is a big change but I took my time to think about my options. I know this is the right team for me. My goal is to give Beta all the credibility the Brand is entitled to.
“And after that, I have a really good feeling with Lapo Bianchi, Beta Motor CEO. We both want to move forward in the same direction. I don’t know the bike yet, but I am very confident that all the team will prepare a perfect machine for me.
“For sure, it is very strange to be leaving KTM. We had some great times together over the years, especially when I won the E2 title for them in 2009. I wanted to give KTM more titles, but things didn’t work out that way. But it wasn’t because of a lack of effort.
“In 2010 I had my ear problem. After such a good year in 2009 anything other than another title was going to be disappointing. I finished the year as vice-champion in E1 but then I won the ISDE in Mexico overall. That was amazing – I only spent about 30 minutes back on a 450 before that race, and I won.
“2011 and 2102 were two difficult seasons. I had some technical problems and a big crash in Greece. But KTM didn’t leave my side and always believed in my capacity to win. KTM also gave me the chance to take part of my first Dakar, it was for sure one of the best experience of my life.
“The lowest moment during my time with KTM was the championship opener in Spain in 2011. I trained hard all winter. But an electrical problem resulted in two DNFs. My championship was over at the first race. It can happen in our sport, but that was hard on everyone. I always believed I could win, and I gave my best until the end of our last race together – the ISDE in Sardinia.
“My time with KTM brought me a lot, but now it’s time to come back on a family structure – a smaller team full of enthusiasm and dreams of podiums and victories. It is my turn to give my experience and to bring Beta success.
“I will race in E2 in 2014 – that is my class. I am a 450 rider. Maybe in the future I’ll move to another class, but not now. I want to win the E2 world championship for Beta.”
