News 18 Apr 2019

Murray Bridge MX Nationals on the cards for Ferris with Raceline KTM

Image: Foremost Media.

Revealing a new partnership with Raceline KTM this afternoon, triple Australian champion Dean Ferris has declared his intentions to race Murray Bridge’s double-header round of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals on 4-5 May in South Australia.

Ferris departed CDR Yamaha Monster Energy at the conclusion of 2018 after wrapping up his third-consecutive MX1 crown in favour of pursuing the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship this year, which still remains the target for the New South Welshman as he endeavours to lock down a deal.

The 28-year-old from Kyogle will pilot a KTM 450 SX-F prepared by the factory-backed Raceline operation while he remains in Australia, and will ultimately confirm his decision to race Murray Bridge in the early stages of next week.

“It’s definitely on the cards,” Ferris told MotoOnline.com.au. “There are only two and half weeks until the event, so I’ll just have to make sure I’m all dialled in with the bike. I’ll make a call on that early next week – there’s no pressure – but I’d really like to race it.

“The goal is still to be racing in the States, and this is support through Raceline and Recover8 – it’s a new supplement which is about to hit the market, and I actually tested it for them in the off-season. It all started with a friendly conversation with John Tisdale – he asked if I was interested, so I tested it, thought it was great and gave him a report.

“He later asked if I’d like an association with that and also with Raceline one day, so we’ve had quite a few conversations and this what it’s led to.”

Ferris signed a three-race deal with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing in place of injured contender Romain Febvre in the MXGP World Championship, however a knee injury sustained Matterley Basin prompted him to return home just one race into the agreement. Ferris has since returned to riding following a number of weeks of rehabilitation, returning to full health.

“The knee did need a couple of weeks rest, unfortunately those GPs that I signed up for were in those two weeks, so that didn’t pan out,” he continued.

“I got back home, did some rehab with my people, and every day it improved quite a lot. It got to a point where I started riding and everything feels fine, so I’m really grateful that it was only minor injury and that I’m healthy again.”

Ferris has been linked to a selection of seats in the Pro Motocross series, however nothing has yet come to fruition despite having an agent on the ground and visiting the country himself last month. The championship kicks off on 19 May at Hangtown.