News 13 Nov 2014

Arbon commits to 250F for 2015 MX2 campaign

Title contender will ride four-stroke next season.

Image: Simon Makker.

Image: Simon Makker.

SD3 Husqvarna revelation Luke Arbon will transfer to a FC 250 four-stroke fulltime in the 2015 MX Nationals after a successful debut in the Brisbane supercross final.

Arbon experienced a breakthrough season in 2014 on a TC 250 two-stroke in the MX2 ranks, finishing third in the standings with three round wins to his credit.

However the South Australian has since made the switch to the 250F option from Husqvarna, winning a pair of Australian Supercross heat races on debut at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on debut before being forced out of the main event after an early incident.

That form has convinced Arbon to commit to the FC 250 fulltime in 2015, in a bid to claim his first professional championship with increased manufacturer support from HQVA.

“We’re pretty much confirmed, just finalising a few details, and that’s the direction we’re going,” Arbon told MotoOnline.com.au. “As soon as I rode the four-stroke I loved it; they come with a lot more power than I thought they would and it’s a lot more usable.

“I think once we get a little bit of engine work done, it’ll definitely be competitive against the two=strokes,” he added. “I raced a two-stroke all year this year even though it wasn’t my preferred bike.

“The first ride I had on the four-stroke I could tell it handled a lot better, turned better and I think it’s just the technology in them. I wouldn’t say it’s easier to ride, but definitely nicer and it should suit our MX Nationals really good.”

Alongside his MX Nationals assault, Arbon will spend the pre-season in New Zealand contesting the NZ national motocross series in MX2.

Arbon is the first of an expected up-swing in four-stroke entries outdoors, with Nathan Crawford anticipated to step up to MX2 on a factory-supported 250F and this year’s teenage standout Caleb Ward also changing to a KTM 250 SX-F.

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