Honda Australia has confirmed that Tye Simmonds will ride red in 2012 after splitting with JDR/KTM Factory Racing earlier this week.

Simmonds has formed his own team with support from Honda, set to campaign the Pro Open class of the MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship.

“This is something I have been looking forward to, riding for myself and starting my own team,” Simmonds said. “I look at what Chad [Reed] has done on the Honda and I have been impressed by his results, particularly last year in supercross where he was a full privateer.

“The Honda has been doing the business in supercross and motocross and I feel confident I can get straight on it and go fast.”

Simmonds said he has also been impressed by Ben Townley’s results in the New Zealand Motocross Championships and believes that the Honda has proven it can win at the domestic level.

“Ben is riding well and I know that his bike is based on the production CRF450,” Simmonds continued. “This gives me further confidence and I know my decision to ride Hondas is a good one”.

Honda Australia has been supporting privateers since their inception. General manger of Honda Motorcycles Tony Hinton appreciated Tye calling Honda.

“There is no doubting Tye’s ability, he has an impressive resume and when he contacted us to ride Honda I was excited to hear from him,” Hinton commented.

“We are dedicated to supporting riders on varying levels and we are glad to have Tye riding Honda’s this year. We look forward to a successful relationship and seeing him on the 2012 CRF450R”.

Stay tuned for more information on Simmonds’ all-new effort when we get it.