CDR Yamaha Monster Energy owner Craig Dack has mentioned the squad is focused on tailored adjustments to the YZ450F for newly-signed riders Kirk Gibbs and Luke Clout, rather than further developing the premier class contender.

The current generation YZ450F was introduced for 2018, with majority of development already taken place by USA-bound rider Dean Ferris, who piloted the motorcycle to a third-consecutive MX1 crown and 10 overall wins from 10 rounds in the Pirelli MX Nationals last season.

“This is our second full season on the current generation YZ450F and it’s a sensational bike with a great chassis and powerful motor,” Dack explained. “Our time isn’t spent trying to develop the bike a great deal but rather personalise it for the individual rider as the production platform is so good.

“Brad, Aiden and Gary are able to get the most from it and the riders respect the fact we have such high quality technical staff at CDR.”

The powerhouse squad formally introduced the team and its partners today, showcasing the updated look it will sport in the upcoming MX Nationals followed by the Australian Supercross Championship.

“I love this time of year,” he added. “All the hard work over the off-season from both the riders and the teams comes to the surface now and it’s time to go racing. This is why we do the work – to see how it plays out on the weekends.

“Having Appin as the opening round this year should make for a great start to the season as the track always turns on great racing and its well supported by the fans. Our team has a good history at the venue and we hope for that to continue this year.

“Both Luke and Kirk have had a great pre-season, and both are showing good form. Kirk has raced in New Zealand and showed plenty of speed and quickly adapted to the YZ450F while Luke has done a couple of local races and been successful at those, so I feel we are well placed heading into round one.”

The opening round of the MX Nationals is scheduled for 17 March at Appin in New South Wales, with the series set to span 10 rounds over eight weekends.

Toby Price will be honoured for his incredible 2019 Dakar Rally victory at the Formula 1 (F1) Rolex Australian Grand Prix next month in Melbourne, where he’ll join the official drivers’ parade for a lap of honour aboard his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing contender.

Price captured his second-career Dakar crown in January in a heroic campaign that saw him compete and ultimately win the 10-stage event while nursing a broken wrist.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Andrew Westacott, said the scheduled lap of honour for Price at the F1 opener was a fitting way to acknowledge his global motorcycle triumphs.

“Toby Price is the only Australian to have ever conquered the gruelling Dakar Rally, and to have now won it for a second-time in defying circumstances is an incredible achievement,” said Westacott.

“What better way to celebrate Toby’s accomplishment than allowing him to join 20 of his peers that are the best racing drivers in the world in a lap of honour on the world stage.

“We are thrilled to honour Toby at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 and see him receive the global recognition he deserves, when the world’s eyes are on Melbourne for the opening round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.”

The Formula 1 drivers’ parade will be held at 2:30pm local tome on Sunday, 17 March, ahead of the grand prix commencing.

New South Welshman Josh Green believes he’s in a good place ahead of the opening round of the 2019 Yamaha bLU cRU Australian Off-Road Championship, scheduled to launch on 9-10 March at Toowoomba in Queensland.

The Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing Team rider is set to pilot the all-new WR450F in the E2 category, the number 99 already declaring his comfort aboard the updated machine introduced for 2019.

“I have really gelled with the 2019 WR450F since the first day I rode it and feel that the changes Yamaha have made have improved the bike significantly,” said Green. “My times in testing have improved and we have just fine tuned the bike for Australian race conditions and I’m confident we are in a good place heading into round one.”

Green will be be joined by reigning E1 champion Luke Styke at the factory Yamaha squad, who’ll defend his crown in the class, while two-time Under 19’s champion Michael Driscoll will graduate to the professional ranks, contesting E1 alongside Styke.

Not only backing the series and the Active8 squad, Yamaha Motor Australia has also thrown its support behind a list of riders, including Stefan Granquist, Jeremy Carpentier, Nic Tomlinson, Riley Graham, Kirk and Harley Hutton, as well Jess Gardiner and Emelie Karlsson in the Women’s division.

Victory in the MX2 class of the New Zealand MX Nationals has offered Kyle Webster a timely boost ahead of his campaign in the Pirelli MX Nationals, scheduled to commence on 17 March at Appin in New South Wales.

The Pirelli Penrite CRF Honda Racing rider travelled to the country to contest rounds two and three of the series, exiting the experience with a victory over defending champion Hamish Harwood (CML Motorex KTM Team) and Australian Mason Semmens (Davey Motorsports KTM).

“The third and final moto at Pukekohe was a really good one,” said Webster. “I made a great start and then focussed hard on the first few laps to open a gap and I lead the whole way to win the race. The 3-3-1 moto scores then gave me the overall round win on countback, which was an awesome way to wrap up the NZ trip.

“I really have to say thanks to Mark and the Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing team and Honda in Australia and New Zealand, Coops and his team, and all the other sponsors who made the trip possible. Like I said, the trip was a total blast!

“There’s nothing like racing at the highest levels and being on the gas the whole time to get you up to speed for the start of the local season. There was a real depth of talent in the New Zealand competition and that only makes you lift your game and it’s really boosted me for the Australian MX Nationals opener in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait.”

Entering his fifth MX Nationals campaign in the MX2 category, and with a number of wins behind from 2018, Webster is considered a title contender this season.