With the news of multiple-time Australian Motocross Champion Jay Marmont returning from Kawasaki to the team that helped him to four straight outdoor titles spreading like wildfire this month, MotoOnline.com.au sounded out some riders and industry players including comments from Craig Dack and Marmont to get their thoughts on Jay’s return to CDR Yamaha.

Image: Alex Gobert.

Jay Marmont – Eight-time Australian champion
The last couple of years haven’t been as I would have liked but returning to CDR Yamaha and surrounding myself with the most professional team in the pits is the start of getting the train back on the track. I have enormous respect for team owner Craig Dack and the way his team go about running a race team. It bought the best out of me when I raced for them before and I’m confident it will happen again. I feel I still have plenty to offer as a racer and I’m more determined than ever to put myself back where I belong and race with the same purpose and passion as I did in the 2008-2011 era. I’m also really looking to getting stuck into riding the new 2014 YZ450F. I hear nothing but good reports about them and my first ride on the bike just blew me away with how much the Yamaha has improved.

Craig Dack – CDR Yamaha team owner
Jay and I remained close friends after 2011 and kept in close contact since. When the opportunity came up to have Jay return and ride for CDR Yamaha, we both sat down and worked towards making it happen. It was all about finding a way and setting a path to get his racing back where it needs to be and I’m confident he can regain the form that saw him win several championships with us.

Mick Sinclair – Monza Imports marketing and product manager
From a commercial point of view, having Jay back at CDR Yamaha is great. Jay’s still one of the most marketable racers in Australia, if not the most marketable. I’ve got my fingers crossed that he does well. I know he struggled at Kawasaki and he feels at home at CDR. He’s got a bit to prove, but I think a realistic goal for him is to win the championship. If anyone can bounce back, it’s him. At the same time the race scene has changed a lot and the younger kids are a lot faster now. When Jay and Boydy were at CDR they could pull a gap on the field then settle into a pace, but now the younger kids charge the whole way through. Personally I’m very excited that I get to work with Jay again. We’re good mates and I chatted to him last week and we talked about the signing before it was announced, and we’re both pumped to be able to work together again.

Image: Simon Makker.

Jack Simpson – KTM MXD racer
I’m stoked to see Jay return to his old stomping ground. He won four straight motocross championships with them and was the most successful racer as I was coming up through the ranks. It seemed he was winning titles left, right and centre. It wouldn’t surprise me if he places in the top fives and wins races this year. At this stage no-one is injured and everyone is fitter and stronger than ever, but Jay’s been in the sport for a long time and knows how it all works. I’m sure his return to CDR will feel like a bit of a homecoming. He’ll settle back into the team quickly and I know Craig Dack will be good guidance for him.

Kirk Gibbs – Motorex KTM MX1 title hopeful
I definitely think Jay will do well with CDR Yamaha. He’s obviously won a lot of championships, but when he went to Kawasaki I think he had the mindset that he’d be able to carry that momentum through, but it didn’t work out that well. Now that he’s returned to CDR I think they’ll give him what he needs and he’ll be at a similar pace to where he was before. While everyone has stepped it up a bit over the past couple of years, Jay is one of the veterans now. He’s won a lot and knows what it takes to get the job done and win races. Until we see him at the opening round and get a chance to check out his pace, it’d be silly to rule him out. I think it’s going to make the season more interesting and I wish him all the best with the move.