Extreme enduro talent Mitch Harper has paired with the world’s number one Husabgerg dealer of 2012, Valley Force Husaberg in Melbourne, in his comeback from a horrifying practice crash.

Harper crashed while riding a motocross track in Sweden in April, fracturing his T7 and T12 vertebrae, resulting in extensive surgery.

“I was practising on a motocross track and the engine cut in the air over a big tabletop and I went on my head – with the bike on top of me,” explained Harper, who had five vertebrae fused and was off the bike for over five months.

“I feel pretty much back to normal. I have been training hard on my road and mountain bikes, and used gym work to up my level of fitness.”

Valley Force Husaberg’s Andrew Carruthers has followed Harper’s progress for a number of years and, along with Jeff Leisk of Husabgerg Australia, stepped forth with the offer of support.

“I lived and raced in Europe myself, once and I know it’s very expensive and hard enough just being away from home without being injured, and Mitch struck us as a good, down-to-earth country kid from Myrtleford,” said Carruthers.

“I saw him years ago and wanted to be involved with him then – he’s got drive and determination.”

Harper’s re-introduction to local extreme enduro competition will come on the Husaberg TE300e. He’ll have further chance to test his progress as he contests the Wildwood Rock event in November in build-up for next year’s World Enduro Championship.

He has winning form on his side at Wildwood, too. He won the first event in 2012 but was ruled out of contention after a crash resulted in a broken hand.

Husaberg national marketing manager Greg Chambers was pleased to see Harper return to racing.

“Mitch’s recovery has been an inspiring one and Husaberg is pleased back the return of such an exciting rider – we wish him all the best in his return to racing,” said Chambers.