Bailey Malkiewicz will spend his rookie Pirelli MX Nationals MX2 campaign with DPH Motorsport Husqvarna, the 17-year-old has confirmed.

Malkiewicz, surprisingly late to sign a deal for the upcoming season, is one of the hottest emerging talents in the country, earning the 2018 MXD crown along with a career highlight Junior Motocross World Championship in the 125cc category.

The youthful talent will join reigning champion Wilson Todd at the Victorian based squad, along with returning MXGP contender Todd Waters, as revealed earlier this week.

The Husqvarna FC 250 that he’ll pilot this season is somewhat familiar for Malkiewicz, spending the later stages of his junior career aboard the European manufacturer.

“I’m really happy with what I’ve secured for this season,” Malkiewicz explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “DPH Motorsport is a really good team and there are a lot of great people underneath the truck. I’m pretty familiar with Husqvarna motorcycles, I raced them for the last four years of my junior career, so I’m pretty comfortable on it – it’s good to be back.

“It should be a good experience having two successful riders as my teammates. Todd Waters is such a successful rider and is coming off a season in the MXGP – he’ll be a good role model – and also Wilson Todd who won the championship last year. It will be good to follow in their footsteps.

“I believe I can be within the top five throughout the whole season in the championship, but I’m definitely pushing towards a win before the season ends. I know I can do it, but we’ll just have to see what happens.”

The opening round of the MX Nationals is scheduled for 17 March at Appin in New South Wales. The full 10-round, eight-weekend calendar was made offical on Monday.