Monster Energy Kawasaki has confirmed that Australian rising star Dylan Peterson will ride in place of the injured Billy Mackenzie in the Monster Energy MX Nationals.

Mackenzie will miss up to three months of racing due to ligament damage in his left wrist, suffered during the second round of the 2012 series at Coonabarabran.

Peterson has earned himself the coveted seat on the Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F vacated by Mackenzie by being Kawasaki’s top privateer MX1 rider in the first two rounds of the series.

“It’s great to come on board with a team like Monster Energy Kawasaki,” Peterson said. “There’s no real pressure on me which is good so my goals are just to improve my results as the season goes on and become a better and faster rider and crack the top 10.”

Monster Energy Kawasaki team manager Troy Carroll is excited to welcome Peterson to the team and wished Mackenzie well in his recovery.

“It’s a real shame Billy got injured this season,” Carroll said. “He was fast and fit and had all the tools to win. We look forward to his return. It’s a big deal for Kawasaki to give the top Kawasaki privateer in the country the opportunity to ride for the factory team.

“Hopefully Dylan will be able to step up to the plate and improve on his results on the factory bike.”

Peterson will join Monster Energy Kawasaki riders Jay Marmont and Kade Mosig at the third round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals at Wonthaggi in Victoria on 28-29 April.