Berry Sweet Strawberries Lucas Oil Honda Racing has confirmed that American rising star Austin Politelli will join the team for the Monster Energy Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship.

Politelli, 17, will join the team for the season, which commences in Melbourne this Saturday night, riding a CRF250R in the Pro Lites category.

Politelli has first place finishes to his name at both the Dortmund and Munich Supercross, as well as a second place finish at Loretta Lynns and a third in the Canadian National Motocross series.

“We’re obviously pretty excited to have a rider of Austin’s speed on the team,” said team principle Craig ‘Ando’ Anderson. “At 17 years old he’s already achieved a lot and has a huge future ahead of him in racing.

“We’re looking forward to him arriving and getting stuck into supercross and we’ll be pushing for that number one plate.”

Also joining the Berry Sweet Lucas Oil Honda race team in the Pro Open class will be three times British champion Gordon Crockard.

“I raced against Gordon three years ago and I can tell you he’s one fast rider and will bring some fire to the Super X series,” Anderson added. “This guy is world class and won’t back it down anywhere.

Crockard will compete in the second, third and fourth rounds of Super X.

Anderson will contest the entire series in the Open class, while regular Lites rider Kade Mosig expects to be back for the final two rounds after recently suffering a broken collarbone.

“I’ve developed our CRF450R into one of the best race bikes I’ve ever ridden and I can’t wait to bring it to the startline. This Super X series will be a big one,” Anderson concluded.