Daniel Milner will compete in an international schedule during 2015 after Yamaha Motor Australia confirmed today it will back the Aussie’s move to the US with the Randy Hawkins-run AmPro Yamaha Team.

Milner will focus on the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series and National Enduro Championship in America, while also committing to a number of international events including Australia to be confirmed.

The 23-year-old will be based in Travellers Rest, South Carolina, under the watchful eye of American off-road legend Randy Hawkins.

“I’m pretty pumped to get the deal done and race for such a successful organisation as the AmPro Yamaha team in the US,” Milner commented. “I wanted to remain in the Yamaha family as the CDR Yamaha team in Australia treated me so well and to be able to work with Randy and his team and race a full championship season in the US is a dream come true.

“I had options of going to Europe as well as even staying here in Australia, but the opportunity to race in the US with a great team and the best bike was too hard to ignore and it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”

Hawkins is equally optimistic about the deal with Milner and believes he will quickly adapt to the US and the GNCC style of racing.

“Australia has long produced successful off-road racers and Daniel comes to the AmPro Yamaha team as well credentialed as any other rider in the past,” Hawkins said. “He is obviously a talented and determined rider and during our discussions, I believe he will enjoy the challenge of racing here and be very successful at it.

“Yamaha US and AmPro are excited to have Daniel as part of our team in 2015 and we believe with our help he will be a contender to win the NEPGA and GNCC championships in his first year.”.

Yamaha Motor Australia managing director Steven Cotterell said the move proves that YMA’s policy of developing riders is paying off.

“YMA offers a platform for riders to stay with Yamaha as their career develops,” Cotterell said. “The progress that Milner has made from a Yamaha dealer team to our CDR Yamaha factory off-road setup and now onto the international stage demonstrates that the policy is working. This rider career development is reflected in our ‘customer for life’ philosophy. Good businesses retain good people.”

Milner’s first US assignment starts with the final two rounds of the 2014 GNCC championship, with the penultimate round scheduled for Powerline Park in Ohio on 4-5 October.