Christophe to mix MX2 with AMA, Sebastien to MX1.

Current MX2 Motocross World Championship leader Christophe Pourcel and elder brother Sebastien will remain in their family run GPKR team next season, after agreeing two very different contracts with Kawasaki.

After weeks of negotiations - and rumours of an AMA switch - 17-year-old Christophe has agreed to contest the 2007 MX2 series with Kawasaki, after signing a three year deal with the factory.

Christophe will thus spend next season in Europe, to potentially defend his world title, but will also race in the AMA. The young Frenchman will train in America during the winter and probably compete in the opening rounds of the AMA Supercross championship, before returning to Europe in time for the grand prix season. From 2008, Christophe will move to America full time with the famous Pro Circuit Kawasaki team.

"I think that this choice was the best for all of us, I mean me, my parents, my team GPKR and Kawasaki," said Christophe, who currently holds a 26 point lead over reigning champion Antonio Cairoli with three rounds to go. "Of course I look first to my personal interests, but I also thought to my parents who supported me since the beginning when I did my final choice. Kawasaki offered me a great deal for three more years, and I think that the transition from Europe to the US will be easier with one season mixed and then two years with team Pro Circuit Kawasaki.

"We'll have this winter and next year time to get used to the US way of life, even if it wouldn't have been a problem for me to go full time there after the next Motocross of Nations. I always raced with Kawasaki and I'm glad to continue with them, I think that's really good for both of us and I want to thank Kawasaki Motors Europe, Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan and Kawasaki USA for their efforts," he added.

"To be able now to keep Christophe in MX2 GPs for one more season on Kawasaki and then helping him to move directly and easily into the Pro Circuit Kawasaki team for 2008 and 2009 seasons made the perfect arrangement for everyone involved," added Kawasaki Europe's Team Green co-ordinator Steve Guttridge. "Christophe has been a fantastic rider for Team Green since he was just 6 years old on KX machines and now continues, still only 17 but at the highest level, displaying mature and clever riding all season to retain the championship leaders plate for Kawasaki so obviously it was our ultimate goal to keep him green well into the future."

"Of course I'm happy that Christophe stays another year with us, it's his own choice and it's great for us to see that he will be part of our team for a second year in a row," declared Christophe's father Roger, the GPKR team manager. "His decision means a lot for me, it proves that he is happy in our young team and we'll do our best to give him and his team-mates the best support and material. I was dreaming of this line-up next season and I'm also glad to keep the same mechanics and technicians with us. We are a young team but we proved this season that we were able to race for the title, thanks to the support of Kawasaki and all our partners."

Meanwhile, Sebastien Pourcel - currently eighth in the MX2 World Championship - will also stay at GPKR next season, but will switch to the premier MX1 class for 450cc machines.

"I will enter a new challenge next season as I will race in the MX1 class, and I will have new rivals even if numerous MX2 riders are moving to MX1 next season," said Seb. "I've a good feeling on the KX450, I didn't need to push as hard as with the 250F and I really enjoyed racing the first internationals with this bike. For sure my first goal is to get a final podium in the MX2 class before moving to the upper category, but I think that it was the right moment for me to change.

"I'm pleased to continue with team GPKR, I feel confident in this team where I work closely with the staff. It's a main advantage to stay with them, I know how they work and I will not lost time in winter time to discover a new team. It will allow me to work harder and prepare in the best conditions next season," explained S?bastien who claimed his first podium of the season last week in Namur.

"I want also to thank Kawasaki as they allowed us to keep Sebastien in our structure on a KX450F, it's an exception as usually it's Jan De Groot who have the MX1 riders in his team," said Patrick Gelade, who is manages the team in partnership with Roger Pourcel.

16-year-old Gregory Aranda has also been retained for next season, but will stay in MX2 alongside Christophe.

"For sure I didn't got so great results this season, but I didn't race in 2005 due to injuries and I discovered the GP world this year," he said. "Since a few weeks now I've worked with Laurent Brevers as trainer and coach alongside me, and I feel more comfortable and stronger even if I couldn't prove it yet due to my shoulder injury sustained in Sweden. I'm glad to stay with GPKR, I think that's one of the best teams for a young rider."

Finally, the three boys will be joined by Livia Lancelot, third this year in the FIM Ladies World Cup.

"It's a big step for me, and of course I'm delighted to join such a famous team," said the 18-year-old. "When they approached me I was really surprised and glad, I'm convinced that it's the best way to improve my results. I have known the Pourcel family for a long time and for sure it will be a sacrifice to leave my family and move to Belgium but I couldn't refuse their offer. I missed the title by details this year, and I'm sure that I will be much stronger for the 2007 World Cup. It will be my main goal, then we'll see later with the team what will be exactly my racing program."

"It's nice for the team to be seen to help the young upcoming riders such as Aranda and the top French Lady rider, Livia, for next year. Kawasaki expects big things from them all in 2007 for sure," stated Guttridge.