HQVA press release:

With its talented young guns doing extra well in the senior MX Nationals, Husqvarna Australia has renewed and increased its commitment to Australian junior motocross with an expanded team for 2015.

The Pioneers of Motocross will field a three-rider squad organised by HQVA Australia Brand Manager Tam Paul, contesting the KTM Australian Junior Motocross Nationals, all relevant state championships and selected other series and one-off races.

The team will include accomplished Victorian hard-charger Callum Norton, who will ride a Husqvarna TC 125 and Husqvarna FC 250 in 14 years competition.

Top level New South Wales rider Riley Dukes has made his fair share of podium appearances at national level, and the former KTM privateer hopes to do more on his new Husqvarnas – a TC 85 Big Wheel and a TC 125.

The team’s incumbent Bailey Malkiewics rounds out the trio, and he’ll divide his time between his two ‘home’ states of Victoria and Queensland, and his racing time between a Husqvarna TC 85 Big Wheel and a TC 125.

Tam Paul – HQVA national brand manager: “We’ve got a really strong contingent with Husqvarna this year, we’ve stepped it up a little bit further from our first year and added a new rider.
This year we’re pleased to have three national level podium-calibre riders, so we’re certainly well prepared to go into battle with a really strong team, and we’ll definitely be looking for podiums at state and national level. It’s Husqvarna’s commitment to the future of Australian motocross and it covers both East and West with our riders contesting championship level events in Qld, NSW, Victoria and WA. Husqvarna makes very competitive motocross models from 85cc and 85 Big Wheel through to 125, 250, 250F and 450 so it’s possible for junior racers to follow Husqvarna right through their careers.”

Callum Norton: “It’s awesome being on the Husky team with Bailey and Riley. I went well at the first round of the Vics, and I’m looking forward to the second round this weekend. I’m loving the Huskies as race bikes, they are awesome. They’re not too much different to the KTM’s but I’m loving the suspension as it comes, the power is awesome – the whole package. I’m really enjoying racing the 250F just because it’s got a bit more power, and I am a bigger kid but I love the 125 because it’s so light, and I like two-strokes as well.My goals are very much to get in the top three in the Vic titles and the Australian titles. I’d like to win if I can, but top three is the main goal. And then Hattah Desert Race I’ve won that three years in a row so it would be good to win it on the Husky.”

Riley Dukes: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity, I’m just loving everything about the bikes. It’s just been amazing with everything that they’ve given to me. It’s great being on the 125 now, it’s a bit more fun to throw it round. I love the way they look, especially with the graphics on them. I had a broken leg back in January but I’m back to full fitness now and I’ve just been doing some East Coast and State titles so far. I’ll do my best and get the Huskies out there as much as possible. The main focus will probably be the New South Wales State titles and the Aussies at Bunbury in September.”

Bailey Malkiewics: “It feels good to know that I’ve put in the hard yards enough to get back into the Husky team again, so it’s another good opportunity for me. The bikes I’ve got this year are good, I just like the way they feel and all that, like the way the 85 feels and rides, and the bigger bike is a bit of a challenge – this is my first year on 125. It is a bit harder there, racing the older boys they push you around a bit more and all that, so I’ve just got to get bigger and stronger and then I can do the same.”

For more information on Husqvarna motorcycles visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com.