Queenslander Ford Dale is widely recognised as one of the fastest riders in Australian Motocross, almost untouchable when it comes to outright speed, yet unfortunately inconsistent due to a variety of reasons in recent seasons.

MotoOnline.com.au called Dale to find out more about his new ride, see how his fitness is coming along, and to find out what his expectations are for the upcoming season ahead.

Ford Dale will return to Honda for the 2012 season, this time in the Pro Lites.

You’ve been confirmed for Honda on the Lites bike this season, so that’s a pretty positive move for you. You must be really excited for 2012?

Yeah, it’s a really good move and I love Hondas, love the bikes, really like working with Yarrive [Konsky] and all the guys on the team. I’m looking forward to it and it’s a good opportunity having Brad [Anderson] and Ben [Townley] on the team as well.

In the past you’ve ridden for Yarrive and Honda, had some experience there, so has it been an easy transition back to the team?

I rode for them in 2009 on a 450 and got along really well with Yarrive then as well, so it’s pretty good going back to them and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s the team I want to ride for, so it’s pretty good.

That year it was just Todd [Waters], Dean [Ferris] and I, but this year there is more experience in the team so I should be able to learn a lot. Hopefully I can pick up on a few things from Brad and Ben.

You sat out the second half of last year through injury, so how’s that side of it now?

Yeah, it’s good now. I had six months off after my knee reconstruction. I wanted to try make it back for supercross, but I didn’t ended up getting the surgery that I wanted and it meant the time before I got back on the bike was a little bit longer.

I did a lot of training in the off-season off the bike and stuff, so I feel probably better than ever now on my bike. I tested last week with Honda and it feels really good, so I’m looking forward to it.

Dale, pictured last season, is know for his natural speed regardless of bike or category.

Considering you had such a long time off the bike, were you getting worried at all about getting a ride?

Well I was keeping in contact with Yarrive and also Gav [Eales] from Serco, just trying to keep my name in the loop I guess. I thought I’d see what happened, but I wasn’t really worried because I would have done it on my own if I had to.

I know I have good speed and stuff, but it’s obviously a lot better riding for a team. Mentally and stuff it’s just a lot easier. When I ended up signing for Honda I was pretty pumped, it was good.

I’m really thankful for the support that I had at Yamaha with Serco and those guys, it was just unfortunate that I got injured and couldn’t finish the season how I’d planned.

Before you were injured last year you were one of the fastest guys on the track with Serco, so is the goal to pick back up from there and try win this championship?

Yeah, I had a really good off-season last year as well. Everything was going really good other than a bit of bad luck with some bike problems and some crashes, then I ended up hurting my knee.

I know what I need to do, my training’s going really good and my speed’s probably better than ever at the moment. I’m just taking it easy, working on the things that I need to and we’ll see how we go at the first round.