The factory-backed, British-based GasGas GP team that was to field Brian Bogers, Ethan Lane and Billy Askew won’t be on the start line next season after failing to secure funding at the 11th hour.

This new ‘Mark 2’ team was set up by Revo boss Mark Yates after he was approached with the idea for a new team by British businessman Mark Mackenzie – father of 18-year-old Ethan Lane who has been contesting AMA Nationals in recent seasons.

After running Kawasakis in the UK last year with Tommy Searle in MX1 and Askew in the youth classes, the deal to tempt Yates back into GPs was that he would provide the team infrastructure such as the HQ, transport, logistic and team personnel. And Mackenzie would be in charge of the finances, including funding the majority from his own businesses.

The GasGas factory supported the Revo-branded ‘Mark 2’ squad and the team would be the sole satellite factory effort. The bikes, factory engines and parts arrived recently at Revo’s Northamptonshire HQ.

Both Askew and Lane recently completed a tough physical fitness programme in the UK and were ready to start riding after Christmas. They were to join Bogers at a month-long training  camp in Spain, run by former world champ John Van Den Berk, which was also due to involve factory riders like Jeffrey Herlings.

After the finance failed to materialise two weeks ago, alternative sponsors were sought but it has proved impossible to find a sponsor with a large enough budget to field Bogers in the MX1 GPs and Askew in the EMX250 series, as well as contesting the British championship.

It’s believed Bogers has been hired as the GasGas factory’s official test rider, helping develop and set up bikes, and is also contesting GPs. It’s not known which team he will join or whether it will be his own effort.

It’s believed Askew is about to announce he is joining another UK-based team, and he will contest the EMX250 series and British championship.

Back in November 2021, Mackenzie was announced as the new 50% owner of the Butlers Brothers MX team which ran the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC squad in AMA Supercross and outdoors on KTMs. The riders were Max Anstie, Joey Savatgy and Shane McElrath, with Lane as an amateur rider. But four months after the start of the season, the Rocky Mountain team folded. BBMX did return with its own KTM team for the US Nationals.