Champ team signs de Reuver to spur title quest.

With only a 13-point gap between championship leader Mickael Maschio and fifth placed Steve Ramon, the World 125cc Motocross class is certainly the most open in the grand prix arena.

Before the season started, Champ KTM rider Ramon, and team-mate Erik Eggens, were the main favourites for the crown, but Eggens' injury after the second race of the year left Ramon alone in the KTM Champ tent. According to team manager Kees vd Ven, the reason why Ramon has been so inconsistent lately is down to the lack of a fit partner, and he has thus decided to replace Eggens with European champion Marc de Reuver from this weekend?s Swedish round.

"I believe Marc is an extraordinary rider and that he?ll be on the podium easily," vd Ven explained, "Maybe not in Sweden, but for sure in the remaining races of the year."

But, according to vd Ven, the most important thing is not de Reuver's performances, but that Ramon finds the balance and consistency that he has been lacking in recent outings. Ramon won the first race of the year and repeated the feat at St Jean d'Angely, but hasn?t scored a podium finish since. For the Dutch team-manager, the world championship is not only a possibility, but still a real option.

"To win the title is our goal, and the true championship starts this weekend in Sweden," he said, "Maschio had been consistent, but he did not score in Bulgaria, and I believe Steve will have enough confidence to win more races and the championship."

Ramon agrees with his boss and confirms that his confidence level is really high.

"I can fight for the title," he insisted, "'I think it [Alex] Puzar is my main rival, but I?ll go out there to win all races anyway, because my goal is to win the world crown. If I haven?t been on the rostrum in the last three races, it's just because I wasn't physically fit, but now I?m 100 per cent and I want to prove it in Sweden. It's a track I like and on which I was second last year.

The introduction of de Reuver to the Champ KTM tent will also act as a spur, Ramon admitted.

"To have a team-mate is always great because you can not only practice together, but also, in the races, you see where each other is and you gain speed and competitiveness," he said.