Queenslander Michael Byrne will remain in the United States next season after the BTOSports.com/Butler Brothers MX team announced that he has signed a deal with them for 2011.

Byrne has been racing professionally in the USA since 2001, when he started racing under MX Legend Jeff Emig’s Kawasaki team.

Since then, he has proven to be one of the stars of the sport, with many podium finishes. Byrne has jumped around from some pretty big name teams over the years, such as Amsoil Honda, factory Chevy Trucks Kawasaki, Rockstar Suzuki and factory Rockstar Makita Suzuki.

“Words can’t express the level of excitement we have regarding this right now,” said BTO Sports owner Vince Arimitsu. “Michael Byrne is a big and exciting addition to our team, and we are looking forward to putting in our best season yet.”

Byrne has had a difficult 2010 season, struggling onboard the Valli Motorsports Yamaha team, but confident that he can return to form next season aboard the privateer Suzuki team.

Byrne will make his race debut with the team at Anaheim 1 in January, opting to sit out the Australasian Super X series for this year.