Tye Simmonds was picked as one of Australia’s hottest talents as he made his way through the junior ranks, finishing up with KTM and remaining with the Austrian manufacturer for a large amount of his young professional career.

After spending a season in America racing against the world’s best with KTM, Simmonds made the shock announcement that he would be splitting with the brand and going out on his own with a privateer Honda deal for 2012.

Many doubted his choice, but Simmonds did put together some strong performances, including a second overall at Coonabarabran’s round two of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals series behind eventual champion Josh Coppins.

Just one year after he set out on his own as a privateer, Simmonds will again embark on another new beginning for 2013 after joining Craig Anderson’s Berry Sweet/Lucas Oil/Yamaha team.

Simmonds has relocated himself from his hometown of Bourke to Anderson’s base near Newcastle in New South Wales, completely refreshing his program for this season.

With the guidance Anderson, a multi-time Australian motocross and supercross champion, it looks as though the 20-year-old has found himself a comfortable program and will definitely be a contender in the Monster Energy MX Nationals MX1 class.

Click here to take a look back at Alex Gobert’s interview with Simmonds as he prepared to start his all-new Honda program at roughly the same time last year.

Tye Simmonds looks comfortable on his Yamaha heading into the 2013 season. Image: Jeff Crow/Sport the Library.