Unit has announced a new initiative to develop and nurture motocross talent in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

The Unit Junior MX Academy has recruited seven of the most promising young motocross stars, including former Junior Motocross World Champion Jay Wilson, two blisteringly fast teenagers, Austin Politelli and Kyle Peters, from the USA and Kiwi racer Haki Waller.

On top of that imposing list of young talent Unit has come alongside U19 front-runner Sam Martin (Victoria), South Australian and Victorian Junior points’ leader Kurt Waterman (SA), and two gifted racers with enormous potential, Dylan Wilson (NSW) and Richie Evans (Qld).

As well as supporting these riders with product and increasing their profiles, Unit will also give them access to mentoring and coaching with pro team racers and assist with their development as professional athletes.

“This new junior program is an exciting new initiative to help foster the next generation of champions coming through the ranks,” says Unit founder and creative director Paul Everest.

“There is so much talent in the junior scene. We firmly believe that with some moulding, guidance and opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have access to, we can help develop the next wave of world-beaters.”

While Dylan Wilson, Evans, Waterman and Waller all have at least one year remaining in the junior ranks, Jay Wilson and Sam Martin have stepped up to the highly-competitive Under 19 national class in 2011.

Wilson has thrived with two round wins at Toowoomba and Coonabarabran, and Sam Martin secured his first podium finish at the latest round at Albury.

Meanwhile, Politelli, who at the age of 16 has already stepped up to the 250F class, has put the senior Pro Open class on notice with consistent podium results in the Canadian Motocross Championship aboard his factory Kawasaki machine.

For more information on each of the riders in the Unit Junior Motocross Academy, check out www.unitriders.com/australia/team/junior-mx-academy.