Ricky Cardús joins Argiñano Racing Team for the 2012 season
After originally being set for another season with the QMMF Racing team where his seat was eventually taken by Australian Damian Cudlin, Spaniard Ricky Cardus has found another team to compete with in the 2012 season, in turn taking over the spot that Kenny Noyes was supposed to occupy.
The Argiñano Racing Team returns to the world championship after a season of participating in the Moto2 class of the Spanish Championship. The famous chef and businessman Karlos Argiñano and the technician Ginés Guirado will join forces for a project which aims to stay with the best for many years. Argiñano and new rider Ricky Cardús announced their agreement today in Madrid, together with main sponsor Mad-Croc, an energy drink company.
Karlos Argiñano, team owner: “I am very grateful that Ricky and Mad-Croc trust in the Argiñano Racing Team. I’ve spend many years following motorcycle racing and there’s been years where I had a team – in 2009 in the 125cc world championship with three riders and last year we did Moto2 in the CEV with two riders. And now we take the opportunity to enter the world championship with a rider like Ricky Cardús. I think it will be a great year.”
Ginés Guirado, associate and sporting director: “We are very happy to have reached an agreement with Ricky Cardús. He’s a rider with whom we want to go far. We are thrilled to be moving to the forefront of motorcycling and we will work to the fullest. We closed the deal with the preseason just starting, so we will travel to the Jerez test next week with a very defined programme, bringing two bikes – Suter and AJR – which Ricky can test extensively and decide which to compete with this year. I am also very pleased that we take the natural step forward, from CEV to the world championship. It’s just too bad we lost our engineer Chus Sanchez, who is now in Formula 1, but there are new people coming in with drive and knowledge. Also, we previously had another plan with Kenny Noyes with whom we didn’t sign anything because in the end his needs didn’t coincide with ours. We wish him well.”
Ricky Cardús: “Better late than never. This move shows that I’ve gotten away with it, to continue in the world championship. I didn’t have the possibility to continue with the Qatari team, I wish them all the best. Now my team is the one of Karlos Argiñano and I am more than happy. Work is what opens doors. I’ve been working hard all winter without a clear destination and I’ve gone from having nothing to having a very interesting proposal, the most interesting of my career. The first step is the test in Jerez next week. I have two options of bike and I don’t discount any, I have to try everything and draw conclusions. It could be interesting – a Spanish motorcycle that could debut in the world championship or the bike of the constructors world champion. Thanks to Karlos Argiñano and Ginés Guirado for their confidence. I don’t want to disappoint them.”
Francisco Cervera, CEO Mad-Croc in Spain: “We arrived just a month ago in Spain and we have an agressive strategy plan. We are pleased to sponsor the project of Karlos and we asked for Ricky to be there, because he’s someone we value highly. We want to give this rider energy, support and safety and achieve personal and athletic success. This for me is the most important.”
Source: Argiñano Racing
