TEAM NEWS: Lexa MX Sign Travis Steels and keep Calum Mitchell for 2024!
The cool black, red, and grey of the Lexa MX team will once again be represented next year at the top level by Calum Mitchell, the 2023 Bridgestone MX Masters MX2 Champion, and have signed improving youngsters Travis Steels and Bayliss Utting for their 2024 campaign as well!
Words: Ben Rumbold/Lexa MX, Images: Lexa MX
Calum’s main focus will be in Europe, continuing to race the Dutch Masters as well as selected MXGP rounds and a few rounds of the Dirt Store British Championship and Fastest 40 series. The new Nora92 Pro Championship is also on the cards. Travis will start his second full season in the adult ranks with the team after injury affected his 2023 season. He was leading the Arenacross Pro-Am series until breaking his leg in a morning practice session, after winning motos in the 250cc Youth British Championship in 2022. Travis moves to the MX1 class for Lexa, with talented 250cc Youth flyer Bayliss Utting, a front runner in the 250cc Youth class this year, racing in MX2. Kai Thorpe will continue with the squad on a 125cc machine.
Calum Mitchell enjoyed his MX2 GP debut at Matterley Basin, so will look for more of the same in 2024.
Here is what Team Manager Kris Pabersz, and Calum himself, had to say:
Kris: “I’m happy to announce that Cal is here to stay. As team manager the best way to see how well we have done is by a rider wanting to stay and continue with us. Calum has been a great team player and his experience in the sport has helped us to grow as a team and perform at the top level. He is a great ambassador for the team, and has become an idol for our academy riders by also spending weekends with the youth riders and helping with their racing, which means a lot to me. We will see him racing here in the UK, The Netherlands, and European MXGP rounds. Let the work begin and onto better achievements in 2024!”
Calum: “I’m happy to be staying with Lexa in 2024. This season we have done a lot together, through highs and lows, and it’s brought us all together. So I couldn’t be happier to be representing the Lexa colours again! Thank you to Kris and Vineta for believing in me, I look forward to my new race schedule. Let’s gooo!”
Kris: “On behalf of the entire Lexa MX Team, I want to extend a warm welcome to Travis Steels. We are thrilled to have you on board and look forward to the valuable contributions we know you’ll bring to our team. Your previous MX experience will be greatly valued. We are confident that your hunger and drive to succeed will not only elevate your own career but also contribute to the overall success of Lexa MX. Here’s to a successful journey together at Lexa MX!”
Travis: “I am very excited to be riding for Lexa in the 2024 season. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity that Kris has given me, and I will be giving it everything I’ve got, on and off the bike, to perform how I know I can. Looking forward to the winter ahead to come out swinging in ’24.”
Kris had this to say about the year just gone:
“That’s it for 2023. I can honestly say that I’m pleased with our first year as a professional team. I enjoyed the process of growing it and learning on the job . As most of you know I’ve got no experience in this field and it’s all new to me but I love the sport and new challenges to succeed keep me going.
2023 from day one was set up as a learning and development year to see what works, what doesn’t, and to gain experience. We definitely achieved that and made every weekend enjoyable with all the crew having a great time under the awning. Coming away with winning 4 championships and stand out results across the team is just a bonus. Racing committed to two championships and wildcarding others from schoolboy clubs, Nationals, Dutch Masters, VMXdN, and MXGP is just a massive achievement in my eyes for the first year.
Thank you to all of our supporters out there, as all your help has been very valuable, and believing in this project from the beginning means a lot to me. Most of you have confirmed to stay with us going into 2024 which just confirms that I have done something right.
Thank you to all our Academy riders and their families for representing us out there so professionally.
2024 we will continue to grow and develop from where we left off and will see us here on UK soil but also across Europe. I’m very pleased with our young, hungry line-up and can’t wait to see what their hard work and commitment will bring with my backing behind them.
Last but not least I would like to say thank you to myself for believing it, for all the hard work, having no days off, giving more then receiving, doing more right than wrong, thank me for never quitting even with how hard it sometimes got, being myself all the time, what you see is what you get and what I say I stand by! Let’s go again in 2024!”
Lexa MX would like to thank all of its sponsors
Lexa MX
Lexa’s Interiors
Go Mx
Risk Racing
LS2 Helmets UK
Putoline UK
Ci Sport
Thirty4 Racing
Hoco Parts B.V.
Schnauber – Bespoke Timber Windows and Doors
Raceworks Design
ETS Racing Fuels
Motoverde
motocrossmedia.shop
SMC mx
CARAPAKS
Pro-Carbon Racing
WP Suspension UK
Technical Solution WP Suspension
Bickers
Tanki
