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Husqvarna Motorcycles South Africa appears set to step up to what it described as the ‘SERIOUS’ level as it announced its team’s line-up for the 2017 Motocross and Enduro championships.
The company said the Enduro team that will run under the new title sponsor colours of PEPSON PLASTICS will consist of multiple SA champion Brett Swanepoel (# 111) in the E2 (open) class aboard a Husqvarna TE 300 and hot privateer rider until now in Henco Botha (# E9) in the E1 class aboard a Husqvarna FE 250.
Husqvarna also disclosed that it will make a welcome return to National Off Road’s and compete in the OR2 category with the flying Brett Swanepoel on board a Husqvarna FX 350 under the banner of PEPSON PLASTICS.
“Our Motocross squad will be a hot one to contend with as well – here we see 12 times SA MX champion Richard van der Westhuizen (# 717) focusing fully on MX this year in the MX 1 class on board a Husqvarna FC 450 (last year Richard cross-rode between MX and Enduro). In MX 2 we were looking forward to our young flyer Jason Visser but injury and some surgery has kept him from starting so the exciting news is that we have signed a long term contract with the very fast multiple champ Matthew ‘Maddy’ Malan (# 57). Maddy will contest the MX 2 class for 2017 on board a Husqvarna FC 250. Once again, and seriously exciting is the fact that we will also have Slade Smith (# 737) on board a Husqvarna TC 125 , contesting the championship that he chased through injury last year – the competitive 125 High School class. This facet of our team is yet to name a title sponsor,” the company said in a statement obtained by AUTO REPORT AFRICA.
The team, according to the statement signed by Husqvarna Brand Manager, Fred Fensham, will be supported as it has been for a number of years now by the best partners in BEL-RAY, PIRELLI in Motocross and METZELER in Enduro and Off Road, FOX, PORTABLE SHADE, FMF, 32 Gi and Snap On.
On the general outlook of the company for the year, Fensham, said “2017 feels like a Husqvarna year! The past two and a half years have been a whirl wind ride with this exciting brand and it truly feels like we are finding our place in the market as a premium offering in the Motocross and Enduro segment. We have in this building phase had some awesome success in winning titles in MX 1, 85 Pro Mini and the Roof of Africa – as well as being seen as a serious player in all other classes – this said, it’s time to step it up to the SERIOUS level!”
