American-based Aussie Michael Byrne has made his debut on the Rockstar Honda Maxima Team at press day for the Geelong round of the Australasian Supercross Championship (Super X) today, felling confident for the weekend after just limited time on the CRF450R.

David Kresvan and Martin Ritchie, the team’s suspension technicians, have worked closely with Byrne to set up his production forks and shock, working quickly with just two days of testing completed before the second round of the series this weekend.

“The bike is great, the engine is plenty fast enough to do the job,” said Byrne today. “Harry Bell does great work and I feel that in time we will be very competitive.”

Kresven is also confident that the new pairing will be able to produce good results after missing the opening round of the series, held in Tasmania last Saturday evening.

“It’s easy to understand why he is so good,” said Kresven. “He has taught us a great deal in only two days and the suspension he is using is what comes standard on the bike. We have modified it considerably, however it is available to the public.”

Byrne will race for the first time in over five years on Australian soil tomorrow night at Skilled Stadium in Geelong.