Serco Yamaha has announced that Wade Hunter and Wilson Todd will form an all-new rider combination for 2016, representing Yamaha Motor Australia’s factory MX2 team on board the title-winning YZ250F.

Hunter is a surprise inclusion after already being announced to be riding for DPH Motorsport recently, taking over from US-bound former national champion Luke Clout on the official team.

“It’s been a hectic couple of days getting this finalised with the late change of Luke heading overseas, but it’s all done and I’m ready to go with Serco and look forward to getting started,” Hunter said.

“I had a good break over Christmas and my body is 100 percent now, so its head down and into a big pre-season of riding, testing and training. I look forward to working with Gavin and his team in 2016 and know that I will have the best bike in the MX2 category so it’s time to step up and win some races.”

Todd, 17, graduates from the MXD category in which he won for GYTR Yamaha last season, effectively taking the position of Jed Beaton. It’s understood the latter will race a privateer YZ250F this season.

“It has been a goal of mine to race for Serco Yamaha and I’m exciting to finally reach it,” Todd said. “I also understand that the real work starts now and I’m a professional racer, in with the best riders in the country, so there is no time to be complacent,” Todd states.

“My knee is good and feels strong so I have been able to resume full training for some time. My off bike fitness is returning to where it needs to be and now that I have the all clear from the doctors, I can get back on the bike any day now and start riding again.

“We only have just over two months until round one but I will be going hard day and night to ensure I’m ready to go and do my best for Serco Yamaha.”

Team owner Gavin Eales is optimistic about the 2016 season with two very enthusiastic riders: “We released Luke from his contract so he could chase his goal of racing in the US and we wish him nothing but the best of luck and hope to see him do well. In his place, Wade Hunter will step into the team and he brings plenty of experience and a good work ethic to the team.

“Wilson Todd will step up and make his debut in MX2 and I’m excited to see what Wilson can do. He showed great speed at the end of the 2015 MX Nationals and he has exceptional supercross skills so we think he is an exciting addition to the team.”

The pair will now continue preparing for the 2016 MX Nationals season, which commences as Horsham in Victoria on 3 April.