Cycle Trader/Rock River Yamaha Riders Have Best Season Yet, Look Forward to 2017

Cycle Trader/Rock River Yamaha team bike

Never forget your roots and be thankful of your sponsors, said team owner DuClos.

Mike DuClos, the owner of Johnson Creek, Wisconsin’s Rock River Power Sports, saw a problem in 2009. A rider he supported as an amateur was turning pro and could not find the support he needed. DuClos quickly formed the Rock River Pro Racing Team. He saw it as a way to help riders move into the professional ranks with the support they need. Yamaha stepped in and began supporting the program the following year. In 2013, Cycle Trader stepped in as title sponsor, in an effort that saw the team not only grow financially, but where it mattered most – results.

Cycle Trader/Rock River Yamaha has played a part in shaping the careers of riders careers like Weston Peick, Aaron Plessinger, Chase Sexton, Sebastian Tortelli, Alex Martin, Ben Lamay, Malcolm Stewart, Christina Craig, Colt Nichols, Vince Friese, Robbie Reynard, Bradley Taft, Tommy Hahn, Michael Byrne, Benny Bloss, Luke Renzland, Cole Martinez, and Lorenzo Locrucio to name a few, DuClos said.

Cycle Trader/Rock River Yamaha rider signing autograph

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Looking back at the 2016 season, it was another great year DuClos said.

“In Supercross, Colt Nichols put us up on the box numerous times, and Luke Renzland made his way to the front of the pack for us this outdoor season. All in all, the team is moving in a positive direction and that is all I can ask for.”

DuClos added that like most teams, they are always striving to improve. The team thrives on taking what they have learned and sharing with those coming through the ranks to build the next winner. With a proven track record in recent years, the formula will always change, always look for the next level, and the team will continue to build on their already proven platform, he said.

With 2016 winding down, it is time compete in the final few events of the year and prepare for the 2017 season. For 2017, the team has two rookies coming on board in Bradley Taft and Lorenzo Locrucio. Those two will be mentored by returning captain Tommy Hahn. DuClos expects amazing things out of the team.

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“Taft has already proven that he can run in the top ten outdoors, and Locrucio is amazing on a

Supercross track, so watch out,” he said.

It used to be that there was a defined “off-season” that began after the last outdoor national, but that isn’t the case anymore. DuClos said that before the team finished the last outdoor race they were already testing Supercross bikes and preparing for the 2017 season. This past weekend’s Monster Energy Cup event was the last competitive event where the team was really looking at how their setup is for Supercross the next season.

“The guys all live out at our facility in California to be close to the Yamaha test track, and click off laps making changes along the way to hit it hard at Anaheim One,” he said.

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K&N has been part of the team since the beginning in 2009 with product and financial support.

“The diverse product line from K&N covers all aspects of everything with a motor, and we are happy to have them as a team sponsor,” DuClos said. “I want to thank everyone that has been a part of our program. From the riders, to the sponsors and all of our crew. This has been an amazing journey for myself and Rock River Power Sports and it has just begun.”

Rock River is, and always has been devoted to the amateur program, DuClos said. He sees the program as a stepping stone, and is happy with that. He wants the riders he supports to succeed under the team tent, under the team’s direction, and land a career in the industry however they choose.

“Never forget your roots; never forget who helped your success,” DuClos said. “Thank you to everyone who has helped mine.”

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