Australian MX2 Motocross Champion Luke Styke will make his first race appearance with the KEMEA Yamaha grand prix team at this weekend’s Valence International in France.

Following a career season last year that saw him take victory in the MX Nationals and Australian Supercross Championship aboard the YZ250F for Serco Yamaha, Styke will contest a number of international races in preparation for his MXGP debut next month.

The 22-year-old has been based in Belgium training for the upcoming GP season with the KEMEA team, developing the brand new 2014 model YZ250F and so far enjoying the challenges of competing at a world level.

“Everything starts to get going now and I’m really looking forward [to the challenge],” Styke said. “For me it was a huge step coming to Europe. I left all the familiar faces in Australia for people I barely spoke to before – I didn’t know anybody at all and they didn’t know me.

“In the beginning it was a bit strange, but in the end everybody is great and helpful. At first it took me over a week to get over the jet-lag, I couldn’t find a good rhythm. And let’s not speak about the weather! When I left home it was summer and 40°C, so that was a big change too.

“But I’m having fun, it’s so nice to discover all the new things and people. Also the bike is great! I had to discover this new bike and I’m happy about the progression so far. We’re just back in Belgium after a solid training week in Spain and I’m looking forward to test the new parts next week.”

The Valence International is the third major event of the pre-season, where Styke will join countryman Todd Waters and a host of grand prix regulars in the lead-up to the world championships. This year’s MXGP season will commence at Losail in Qatar on 1 March.