Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing today confirmed that former 250 AMA Pro Motocross champion, Dean Wilson will compete for the team in the 450 class for the remainder of the 2017 Supercross season.
“It’s really exciting. Getting the call from Bobby [Hewitt] was a great moment,” said Wilson. “I haven’t had a good, happy day like that in a long time. I’m definitely a lot more appreciative than I’ve ever been for a ride. I feel like my training is all good and I plan to keep the same preparation and momentum going. The goal is to stay healthy and try to get in the top ten. I want to remain focused, working hard and making the team proud.”
Wilson will need to hit the ground running with his team debut on the FC 450 just days away at Oakland SX this weekend.
There had been a lot of speculation over the future of Christophe Pourcel, in the last week in particular, but Husqvarna Motorcycles also confirmed today that Pourcel will stay on a Husky and switch to the Canadian Nationals for 2017.
Pourcel will lead Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s efforts in Canada as the Austrian-based company continues its expanded global efforts.
Christophe will now bow out of the remaining rounds of the Supercross series to give him plenty of time to fully recover from an injury that he sustained during the 2016 Pro Motocross season.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity, and the ability to take a little more time to recover from my previous neck fractures and prepare for racing,” said Pourcel in a press release. “We have been talking about this transition for quite some time, and now is the perfect time. I’m looking forward to my future with Husqvarna and the role I will have with them in their new efforts in Canada. I would like to send a special thanks to Bobby Hewitt, as well as everyone at Rockstar Energy and Husqvarna Motorcycles for their continued support through my career.”
Bobby Hewitt – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager said in the press release: “I’m thrilled to have Dean join the team and proud that we’ve been able to finalise our Canadian program with Christophe. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Dean during his amateur years and I’m glad to be reunited with him. He will compete at the Supercross in Oakland but only had two days in order to get used to his new FC 450, so this will be a little challenge for sure. However, he has a positive attitude combined with a skill level that I feel confident once he gets used to the Husqvarna will allow him to compete at the highest level.
“Although I’d rather have Christophe racing the remainder of the Supercross season, I’m excited about the future for him and our program in Canada. Even though those plans were to begin in 2018 I want to thank everyone at Husqvarna Motorcycles and Rockstar Energy for their help in expediting those efforts in 2017. It is just another example of the dedication and commitment of Husqvarna and Rockstar to keep pushing our global partnership to new highs each year! I am thankful to everyone involved for being able to extend our racing efforts to Canada and add another quality rider to the team.”
