AORC champion Chris Hollis has officially joined the KTM Off Road Racing team for 2012. Image: Alex Gobert.

Motorex KTM Off Road Racing today confirmed that new Australian Off Road Champion Chris Hollis will partner the man he took the number one plate from, Toby Price, in 2012.

The team was launched in a press conference at Appin this morning, confirming that 27-year-old Hollis will ride alongside Price at KTM after parting ways with Ballard’s Yamaha.

Hollis and Price will both likely ride the E2 class in the AORC and Australian Four Day, although neither have decided whether they’ll ride the 350 EXC-F or 450 EXC for the new year.

Joining them on a full time basis will be 18-year-old rising star Ben Burrell, as well as desert king Ben Grabham, who will focus on the major one-off events next year.

“We’ve got a strong team for this year, with two new teammates onboard,” 24-year-old Price said. “It’s great to welcome Chris and Ben to the team, plus Grabbo is very valuable as well. I’m sure we’ll feed off of each other and hopefully step up to the next level.

“This year was disappointing with the injuries, but I’m keen to get that number one plate back off Chris – it’s going to be different seeing it on another bike, especially on the same team! The pressure’s off me now though, so I look forward to a big year ahead.”

Hollis is excited to switch to KTM to defend his titles, also set to make his debut in desert racing as part of KTM’s program.

“I’m happy to be here with the Motorex KTM team and already I feel comfortable on the EXC range that I’ve been riding during initial testing,” Hollis said. “It’s exciting for me to join the guys that I’ve been racing against for so long, but there has always been a lot of respect between us.

Motorex KTM Off Road Racing will feature Toby Price, Chris Hollis, Ben Burrell and Ben Grabham next year. Image: Alex Gobert.

“I can’t wait for the opportunity to add some desert racing into my program next year as well. I’ll definitely be riding the Hattah race, but we’ll decide on Finke as it approaches after I do some pre-runs. It’s something I want to do though, for sure.”

Motorex KTM Off Road Racing team manager Brad Williscroft is excited for the season ahead, again campaigning an all-star line-up that will be certain to contend for titles across the board in the new year.

“We are very happy with the riders we have signed for 2012 and I’m confident that we can get good results,” Williscroft said. “We will have number one on our bikes in all of the major races with the titles our riders have won recently.

“To have Hollis join the team is great, he’s so consistent and always up the front doing battle with Toby. Obviously it was important to keep Toby on the team because it’s clear that he is the dominant guy in Australia if he can stay injury-free.

“Benny Burrell has also really matured, so we are happy to have him and I believe that he will really surprise a lot of people as he develops, most likely battling for the E1 championships.

“Grabbo will be busy in the major one-off races and I think we will get a lot of coverage from his results. It will be great publicity for the events and also KTM, so of course we’re 100 percent behind him.”

Check out our complete interview with Hollis about his switch by clicking here.