Husqvarna’s New Dirt Track Squad

Aussie dirt track legend Paul Caslick (pictured in lead image) will lead a three-rider Husqvarna Factory Support dirt track team into season 2016, after selecting 17-year-old Newcastle ace Max Croker as the team’s third and final rider last weekend. Croker will share the Husqvarna awning alongside the nine-time Australian champion, and 13-year-old rising star and Casey Stoner Cup winner, Billy Van Eerde, who rides with support from Chris Watson Motorcycles.

^ Husqvarna’s Aussie dirt track legend Paul Caslick will lead a three-pronged, factory-supported dirt track effort for Husqvarna in 2016 after multi-discipline Australian Champion Max Croker joined the squad alongside superfast youngster Billy Van Eerde…

Tasked with finding the newest Husqvarna team rider, Caslick chose a unique path, advertising the opportunity on social media and, after narrowing the initial applicant pool to a shortlist of five, organised a two-day fitness test and selection trial. This included fitness assessments in mountain bike riding and swimming, and numerous discussions about different aspects of the sport such as nutrition, rest and recovery, with particular attention paid to the kinds of foods the riders chose at lunchtime. Plus an afternoon interview session gave the riders a chance to say why they should get the ride.

In what was very hot company, Croker – who last year became the youngest ever competitor to race in the Moto2 World Championship – earned the ride by virtue of his broad experience and professionalism. He’ll now compete in dirt track championship races aboard a pair of brand new Husqvarnas, an FC450 and an FC250.

^ Multi-discipline Australian Champion, Max Croker…

“Our shortlist included Max Croker, Sam Lachlan from Canberra, Bailey and Mitchell James from the Hunter Valley, and Sam Davies from Kempsey, and every one of those kids is a credit to their families,” explained Caslick. “If I had a budget of $150,000, I’d put each one of them on a bike. Max Croker won the ride because of his experience, his commitment to fitness, his presentation and professionalism. He’s already tasted international road racing, and he has won Australian championships in three different disciplines: speedway, road race and dirt track. This kid is the real deal.”

“A lot of people applied and I managed to get chosen, so I’m very grateful to get this opportunity to get in there and give it a go,” said an excited Croker in the wake of the announcement. “Caso sure gave us a workout; a two-hour mountain bike ride – a lot of it was uphill – then an hour session in the swimming pool and an interview session. I’ve done a bit of coaching with Caso in the past and he’s taught me a fair bit about fitness and nutrition, so I’m honoured to be working with him and also Husqvarna Australia. It’s going to be awesome.

^ Superfast youngster Billy Van Eerde…

“I’ve just been invited to race in the Troy Bayliss Classic in the 450 class this coming January, and I’m very excited about that one. I got the invitation from Troy personally and it’s a great opportunity. I can’t wait!,” Croker went on to say.