Yoshimura Suzuki Racing is proud to announce the signing of famed Supercross and Motocross Champion, James Stewart, to a multi-year contract effective immediately. Stewart will compete in both AMA Pro Motocross and Supercross aboard the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 beginning with the first round of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Sacramento, CA on May 19th, 2012.

Stewart, often called the “fastest man on the planet”, comes to Yoshimura Suzuki with a long list of accomplishments. The 26-year old, native Floridian has amassed 6 AMA Championships, including two AMA Supercross titles and a perfect season, AMA Pro Motocross Championship. He also has a FIM World Supercross Championship as well as two Motocross des Nations titles to his credit.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the team,” said Stewart. ”It’s been a pleasure to get to test with these guys and meet the team. I’m very excited – I love the bike – Ever since I rode it from day one I knew it was a great opportunity for me to come out and showcase my talent. With Mike Webb as the team manager and Don (Sakakura), the President of Yoshimura Racing – It’s been great what they’ve been doing – The whole team is phenomenal. We’re all excited to get the ball rolling and see what we can do over the next few years. I just want to thank everyone at Yoshimura and American Suzuki for giving me this opportunity.”

“James is a great addition to our team,” said President of Yoshimura Racing, Don Sakakura. “He is an amazing rider and gifted athlete and we feel very fortunate to have him join Yoshimura Suzuki. We will do everything possible to help ensure his and the team’s success. Our company has been built on racing and winning championships and we intend to keep that tradition alive with James and his incredible skill on a motorcycle.”

Team Manager, Mike Webb, as well as long-time Team Suzuki mechanic, Lee McCollum, and the rest of the Yoshimura Suzuki squad, will support Stewart in his run for the 2012 AMA Motocross Championship and beyond.

“We’re extremely pleased with the announcement of James joining the Yoshimura Suzuki team,” added Team Manager, Mike Webb. ”We all look forward to working with James and a rider of his caliber. We feel very confident we can provide him with the equipment that he needs to ride to his capability. We’re working hard right now, though we don’t have a lot of time, but we’re very focused on getting ready for Hangtown and we’re definitely looking forward to the opener.”

Stewart will join Yoshimura Suzuki Racing teammate, Brett Metcalfe, at the first round of the 2102 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, May 19th.

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It really hurts me to say this, but after spending the last couple of days under the observation of doctors and my family, it looks like it would be best for me to sit out this weekend’s race in Toronto. The fall at Indy was big but aside from the obvious, it aggravated a couple old injuries and I’ll need time to fully recover from that.

I know you haven’t heard a lot from me over the last few of days, but we’ve been working hard to see what I could and should do.  I’ve tried to push through it to see where my limitations are. And unfortunately it looks like that I wouldn’t be able push myself at the pace needed to run with the guys out there.  I’m sorry for that.

So at this point, there‘s no real time line for my return. But we’ll be working at it again next week to reevaluate my abilities for the race in Houston.

Trust me, this was a hard decision to make.  And it really came down in the last few hours. After assessing myself again today, talking to my team, my sponsors and my family, it’s clear that I need to give myself the time to heal.  So I just want to say thank you for supporting me. To my team, thanks guys and good luck this weekend to Davi; keep that podium streak alive! I’ll be back soon. To my sponsors, you guys are the best, I can’t say that enough. Thank you for the always sticking with me. And to my fans; man all you guys. I mean all you guys on Facebook with me, my Twitter followers, all you guys at the races or watching at home. Thank you for the love.  You guys really are the greatest. I’m working so we can get back out there soon, win some more races and have a couple more dinners.

Thank you all,
- James Stewart #7

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Take a ride with James Stewart (@js7) and watch his perspective of the main event. This was the 6th round of AMA Supercross Series held at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.

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