Cheyne Boyd confirmed this week that he’ll be heading down the privateer route for 2012, remaining aboard Hondas, but making a surprise switch back to the Pro Lites category for the season ahead.

Boyd has had a difficult couple of seasons after challenging for the Pro Open title outdoors in 2009. The 2010 season saw him struggle to adapt to the brand new YZ450F at CDR Yamaha, before last year was just as frustrating as a switch to Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing failed to produce the results he has the potential for.

An injury during supercross early in the season at Wollongong spelt the end of Boyd’s year, and by the time the series was over, his phone wasn’t exactly running hot with offers for the new year.

“After supercross there was no real talk of any team rides,” Boyd said. “No offers came around, but I did have a couple of Lites teams call me. It just got me thinking a little, because going back to the Lites isn’t something I set out to do.

“It seemed like it was my only option to go racing. The money that everyone was talking was nowhere near where it needed to be, for me. There were a lot of weeks where I was frustrated and really thought that nothing was going to come about.

Victorian Cheyne Boyd will return to the Pro Lites class for this season aboard a Honda. Image: Alex Gobert.

“It just so happened that Dale Hocking has two sons that race. He gave me a call up and said he has a truck, can pay me this much and try get sponsors as well. I also chased up a few sponsors myself, obviously being in the sport for so long because I have a fair few contacts.

“I’m lucky enough that Honda have put together a really good deal for not just me, but they are supporting the younger guys on the team as well. I don’t think it’s a step backwards in my career at all, it’s just that the rides on the 450 teams have basically been taken up by overseas guys.”

Boyd admitted that after a strong career riding for various factory teams with success, not having calls returned as promised was a disappointing eye-opener for him.

“It’s disappointing not getting one phone call after people said they would call me back,” he added. “They would say ‘just give us a call soon’ and then nobody ever answered, nobody returned a call, and that was disappointing to me.

“Things happen for a reason though, and Dale and Honda came along. I’ll have a fairly decent team behind me and good support, so I look forward to it.”

Already enjoying his time aboard the Honda CRF250R, a slimmed down Boyd says he has always spent time practicing on a Lites bike even while racing in the Pro Open class.

Boyd struggled to gel with the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing CRF450R last season. Image: Alex Gobert.

“I’ve only ridden the 250F two days now, but I have always practiced on them,” Boyd explained. “Part of my deal has always been to have a 250 practice bike to work on corner speed, but every time I practice on them I am nearly as fast as I am on the 450.

“There are habbits that I’ve developed though, which will take weeks and months of riding to work them out. Some things that I do on the 450, you just can’t do on the 250, as you know. It’s going to take a little bit to adapt, but already I feel fast on it.”

At this stage of his career, 29-year-old Boyd has set new goals and is highly motivated for the year ahead.

“For me it’s a time to set new goals and gain a new motivation,” he said. “I think a few people might say that I’m chasing a championship or whatever, but I was quite happy to stay in the 450 class.

“For the last two years I struggled a little with set-up of the bike, but I was more than happy to go and race a 450 again for the right money on the right team. None of them came about, so I think if anything I’m going a little bit the hard way, because it’s so hard to build a fast 250.

“There will be a lot of development of the bike, but it’s a new challenge and hopefully we can build it into something bigger. I’d like to step up to a 450 for 2013, then hopefully we can expand it that way.”

Stay tuned for further information on Boyd’s future as it breaks in the News right here on MotoOnline.com.au.