Daniel McCoy in action at his private test track last week. Image: Grant Reynolds/FiftySix Clix.

Current Australian Supercross Championship number two Daniel McCoy continues to shake down the Motorex KTM 450 SX-F that he’ll almost certainly campaign in the 2013 title race.

Although yet to officially sign a contract with the Sydney-based team, McCoy is on the verge of completing a Supercross-only deal that will see him contest the six-round series with the new-look factory operation.

It’s been a rollercoaster year to date for the 29-year-old, expected to campaign a satellite CDR Yamaha in the MX Nationals before being called upon to replace Ben Townley at Carlton Dry Honda just days out from the season-opener.

McCoy mutually parted ways with Honda at the halfway point of the nationals in what was a round-by-round agreement, and then tested with both the TM and Berry Sweet Yamaha teams in a bid to cement a Supercross deal.

However it was the shock call from Motorex KTM team manager Rob Twyerould that became the priority for McCoy following the Appin MX Nationals weekend, and so far, his return to KTM has been a seamless switch in initial testing.

“I was about to sign with Craig Anderson when Rob rang me out of the blue,” McCoy explained. “I couldn’t believe it when he said there was an opportunity there, so to get another lifeline is a great feeling for me.

“Obviously with the results I had in Supercross last year, I’m determined to do that again and go even better.”

McCoy last rode a KTM 450 SX in 2010 and was part of the official factory team in 2005 and 2006, but the latest generation is a major step forward in Supercross trim largely thanks to the efforts of Ryan Dungey and Roger de Coster in the US.

“After having two weeks on it now, there’s nothing negative to say about the bike – it’s all positive,” McCoy added. “I really like the chromoly frame a lot. It gets good traction on hard, slippery, surfaces and it’s all going really well.

“I’ve worked with Rob and [Danny] Apro in 2005 and ’06, so I know what they’re like and they’re very easy to work with. With the team being so close to my place and so close to the test track, it’s just too easy.

“The whole professionalism of the team has risen since back then and it’s been a really smooth transition so far.”

McCoy is expected to line-up alongside Kirk Gibbs throughout the entire Supercross season, while outdoor title threat Todd Waters could potentially make it a three-rider team depending on a Motocross of Nations selection.

The season will open at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway in the Northern Territory on 14-15 September.

Last season, McCoy raced to second in the Pro Open series behind Jay Marmont after clinching a Supercross-only deal with the CDR Yamaha outfit.