Christian Craig will pilot the Team Honda HRC CRF450R at the Salt Lake City round of the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in the premier 450SX class.

Recently confirmed to contest the upcoming Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship with the factory Honda squad, the GEICO Honda rider will return to his regular East Coast 250SX duties following the event making this a one-off Team Honda HRC supercross appearance.

With minimal premier class supercross experience under his belt and just days of supercross testing on the 2017 CRF450R, the former West Coast 250SX main event winner will enter this weekend’s event with a relaxed approach.

“The only time I’ve ridden a 450 in supercross was at Monster Cup in 2012 and 2015,” Craig said. “I’ll only have three days on the supercross bike going into the weekend, so my expectations are to have fun and try my best to put in some good results for the team.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity that HRC has given me, I’m really excited to debut on the Honda CRF450R this weekend in Salt Lake.”

Team Honda HRC regular Cole Seely is yet to make a decision on his plans for the Salt Lake City event after retiring from the Seattle round due to a groin injury.

Following this weekend’s event Craig will return to the Team Honda HRC squad for the season-opening round of the 2017 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Hangtown on 20 May as a fill-in rider for the injured Ken Roczen.