Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Luke Styke believes lessons learned over the past 12 months of racing have set him up well for the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals.

The 2009 Under 19s national champion had a disappointing year in 2010, but fought his way back onto a factory team with gritty, determined rides in the 2011 championship.

After filling in toward the end of the MX Nationals with Serco, Styke went on to claim an impressive third in the Australian Supercross Lites Championship for the team.

He’s been re-signed for a full season this year by Serco alongside Kirk Gibbs, and he’s working hard to ensure he makes the most of the opportunity this time around.

“The past 12 months has taught me a lot of things and the most important being that you can’t rest on your laurels,” Styke said.

“You are only as good as your last race and if you don’t put the work in during the week, then that result is never going to be as good as it should.

“I got a nice reward for my work in Super X by finishing on the podium and that has given me a real boost heading into 2012.

“I know my bikes will be awesome and I will head to the start line prepared and ready to race. I can’t wait.”

Last year saw Styke finish 10th in the outdoors as a privateer, gaining momentum after signing for Serco late in the season.