When it comes to professionalism in racing, there are few racers who can compete with Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing’s newly signed Mike Alessi. Starting his first year with this new team, the 19-year-old rider considers professionalism to be an important factor in his pursuit of a premier-class championship. According to Alessi, the main quality that drew him to the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team was that the team’s work ethic and professional attitude were right in line with his own. This impressive trait can be attributed to legendary racer and Team Manager Roger DeCoster. “Roger DeCoster is great,” said Alessi. “He is very professional and puts all of his heart into his job. I think he is a great mentor for me and I hope our relationship grows stronger the longer that I am on this team.”

Of course, as important as DeCoster’s presence is, it wasn’t the only appealing factor for Alessi. Additionally, the young Californian was eager to work with the entire Rockstar Makita Suzuki team and to race the brand-new 2008 fuel-injected RM-Z450. “The new Rockstar Makita Suzuki team is great,” enthused Alessi. “All of the team at Suzuki is so professional. They want to make sure the job gets done right the first time and I’m glad to help in any way possible.”

In addition to the supportive members of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team, Alessi is also really enthusiastic about racing the new Suzuki in the premier classes for AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross.

“I love the bike, it is awesome,” he stated. “The fuel-injected RM-Z450 is easy to ride. I haven’t had the chance to ride it in a motocross environment yet, but I am sure I will love it because of how much I like it in Supercross. I feel so comfortable riding it in Supercross and I’m not afraid of the whoops anymore. I feel like I can ride the RM-Z to the best of my ability and not have to hold back at all.”

As Alessi contemplates the 2008 race season, he is happy with his new team and with his new motorcycle. But racing, as with any endeavor, is a two-way street. Alessi is aware of what Suzuki brings to the table, but as a new team member, he is also aware that he is equally obligated to Suzuki. Fortunately, the young rider is more than adequately prepared for this challenge. “I would say that that main thing I bring to the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team is my motocross ability,” he said. “I have always been a strong Outdoors rider and I feel on the new Suzuki RM-Z450 that I can get to where I want to be in that series. I also think I might surprise a lot of people in Supercross this year!”

When making plans for the upcoming race season, Alessi is very goal-oriented. He has a specific idea of what he wants to accomplish and how he wants to accomplish it. On top of that, he has identified his strengths and weaknesses and does his best to play on the former and improve upon the latter.

“My main challenge for 2008 Supercross and Motocross is making sure I ride to the best of my ability,” Alessi asserted. “I hope I can make sure the Suzuki stays on top. At the same time, my main goal for both series is to go out and put my heart and soul into the motorcycle and the team. I need to make sure I do well.”

Height: 5’7”

Weight: 150 lb.

Classes of Racing Entered:
AMA Supercross
Supercross Class AMA Motocross Championship
Motocross Class

His Motorcycle:
Look for the yellow No. 800 Suzuki RM-Z450, tuned by mechanic Mike Gosselaar

Personal items:
Born: May 19, 1988. Single and living with his family in Victorville, California. When not training, Alessi is extremely focused on winning and he trains on his Suzuki RM-Z450 three days a week, and then spends the remainder of his time at the gym and riding his road bicycle.

Noted Accomplishments:
2007
Second overall with six podiums, AMA Motocross class 2006
Second overall with one victory and eight additional podiums, AMA Motocross Lites
2005
Third overall with two victories and two additional podiums, AMA Motocross Lites
2004
Finished in third-place overall in the MX class in his second-ever AMA Motocross at Steel City

Racing History
Alessi has been racing since he was 3 years old and he turned Pro in 2004 when he was 16. This decision came after Alessi won an amazing 11 amateur titles at Loretta Lynn’s. He podiumed in his second-ever AMA Motocross event at Steel City in 2004, alongside former Suzuki racer Ricky Carmichael. Alessi picked up his first factory ride the next year and finished the season third overall in the Motocross Lites Class and then finished second overall in the MX Lites in 2006. Last year, Alessi moved up to the Motocross class and finished an impressive second overall in his first year on the big bikes. This is Alessi’s first year with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing team.

2007 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Supercross Lites Class, East Coast – 8th place overall
21st place -- Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
4th place – Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO
3rd place -- Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
4th place -- Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL
6th place-- RCA Dome, Indianapolis, IN
22nd place -- Texas Stadium, Dallas, TX
8th place -- Ford Field, Detroit, MI
DNR -- Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, NV

2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship
Motocross Class – 2nd place overall
8th place – Hangtown Classic, Sacramento, CA
9th place -- High Point National, Mt. Morris, PA
5th place -- Motocross 338, Southwick, MA
6th place -- Budds Creek Raceway, Mechanicsville, MD
3rd place-- Red Bud Track ‘n’ Trail, Buchanan, MI
4th place -- Unadilla Valley Sports Center, New Berlin, NY
2nd place -- Thunder Valley MX Park, Lakewood, CO
5th place -- Washougal MX Park, Washougal, WA
3rd place -- Spring Creek MX Park, Millville, MN
2nd place -- Steel City Raceway, Delmont, PA
2nd place – Freestone County Raceway, Wortham, TX
2nd place -- Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, CA