British rider Steven Clarke has been selected by Suzuki Australia to spearhead its factory Pro Lites campaign when the Monster Energy Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship commences this Saturday night in Melbourne.

Clarke was a standout rider last year in the Lites class on the satellite Raceline Pirelli Suzuki team, finishing fourth in the title chase after scoring multiple podiums and victory in the mud at Brisbane’s season finale.

Suzuki was expected to sign AMA regular Martin Davalos for the position, however it’s now been revealed that Clarke will step up to the factory RM-Z250 on the newly-named Motul Pirelli Suzuki team.

“I’ve been waiting for the my whole entire life, been dreaming of this since I was a little kid,” Clarke exclusively told MotoOnline.com.au this afternoon. “This is what I’ve been wanting to do, ride on a factory bike in supercross.

“To finally get the opportunity is like a dream come true, so I’ve got to make it count. I raced in England all year and then I got a call from Jay [Foreman], so I flew over yesterday. I actually went to MTF for 10 days and flew from there, just been doing supercross training.

“I just want to have a solid first round, because last year I had a few dramas at the first round and that kind of set me back for the championship. I just want to come out of the first round with a solid result, keep it on two wheels and go from there.”

Suzuki race team manager Jay Foreman confirmed to MotoOnline.com.au that the team no longer has an association with Rockstar Energy Drink, revealing that Pirelli will now take up joint title sponsorship status of the team alongside Motul – both products distributed in Australia by Link International.