Motorex KTM team manager Rob Twyerould is certain the front-end of the 450 SX-F will be a major benefit for Ford Dale in 2014.

Dale was yesterday announced as the rider to replace MXGP-bound Todd Waters alongside Kirk Gibbs next season (click here for details).

Twyerould believes Dale will be the perfect fit for the new-look in-house team, which will enter its second season after JDR Motorsports exited the sport at the close of 2012.

“We’d been speaking to Ford for a while and it’s very exciting for us,” Twyerould said. “Ford is a guy we’ve had our eye on for a couple of years.

“He’s got a great riding style and a fantastic work ethic. He hooked up for training a fair bit with Todd [Waters], who speaks very highly of him, and whenever I’ve been out with him he’s been one of those ‘first rider out and last in’ guys who put a lot of effort in.

“The right rider is also about finding one that will fit in with the team we’ve got already and I think he’ll fit in really well, just as our bike should fit in well with him. Ford relies very heavily on the front tyre and that’s something we can really offer with the KTM.

“The Japanese bikes seem to have changed their style a little, but the KTM will give very good feedback through the front. When testing it he really noticed that he could push the front hard and was very impressed.

“We should have a fantastic relationship with him and a very exciting year.”

Dale and Gibbs will contest the New Zealand Motocross Championship before the MX Nationals season opens in March at Broadford.