Tweet DeCoster Leaving Suzuki

In what most may consider one of the biggest shockers to the industry in recent memory, five-time Grand Prix race champion and legendary team manager at Rockstar Makita Suzuki, Roger DeCoster, is leaving the team after the Pala National in just over a week. It is believed that that the former Belgian rider and captain of this year’s historical season, in which rider Ryan Dungey became the first rookie to capture both the Supercross and Motocross championships, has been unable to come to terms with Suzuki for 2011 and beyond, and the monetary divide is apparently irreconcilable.

The move comes as a shock to many, and it has been widely speculated that Roger will take the helm at KTM next season, a team that has been enjoying huge successes in Europe with Antonio Caroli and is looking to make a splash in the United States. This weekend, the pits at Steel City will be aflutter with questions and guesswork regarding the aftermath of this decision. How will this affect Ryan Dungey, who is under contract with Suzuki for 2011? Who will ride for Roger at KTM? Who will succeed him at Suzuki? Will he be able to take another company to the pinnacle of the sport? These answers will start to shake out as silly season gets underway when the outdoor nationals finish their last two races, and DeCoster embarks on another chapter in his storied career.

DeCoster is an icon in the sport of motocross, often simply referred to as ‘The Man.’ Near the end of his prestigious racing career, Roger led Belgium to its first Motocross of Nations Championship in 1969 and, after becoming team manager for the USA squad, guided America to its first title as well in 1981.

Previously with American Honda, Roger has been with Suzuki since 1996, leaving a legacy behind at both organizations with multiple championships and progressive motorcycle research and development. He built and managed the greatest Honda riders of the 1980’s including Donnie Hansen, Johnny O’Mara, David Bailey, Rick Johnson, Jeff Stanton and John-Michele Bayle.  At Suzuki, DeCoster helped to resurrect the brand and has been at the helm for championships with Ryan Dungey and Chad Reed and was ‘The Man’ behind the GOAT, Ricky Carmichael, during his complete domination of the sport this past decade.