Nick Sutherland getting in some practice aboard the TM Racing Australia machine he’ll campaign in the 2013 Australian Supercross Championship.

TM Racing Australia has announced it has secured the services of front-running Lites privateer rider Nick Sutherland to contest the 2013 Australian Supercross Championship.

Sutherland rode to sixth overall in the Lites class ranks for 2012, built upon consistent showings that saw him in the top 10 at all but one of the rounds.

The 22-year-old’s 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals aspirations were turned on their head when he sustained a knee injury while competing in an invitational race in Indonesia last year, and his focus soon switched to a fully-fit return for Supercross.

Sutherland said he had spoken with TM’s Andrew Franklin over the past few months and was elated to confirm a deal for the upcoming Supercross championship.

“I had spoken to Andrew Franklin from TM a few times in the past about trying to get something happening and get myself aboard a TM,” said Sutherland.

“We spoke a few times over the past couple of months and I am happy to say that I will be riding a TM during Supercross this year.”

Sutherland will compete aboard a TM MX 250 Fi four stroke, and is pleased with his progress so far after just a day of testing the bike.

“I was reasonably nervous since I had not ridden a Supercross track for a while,” he continued. “I got used to the bike really quick, and adapted to the feel of it. The bike turns and handles unbelievable, I’m pumped to get the chance to ride it in Supercross.”

Sutherland has also had the chance to test the TM 250 two stroke, and indicated he may enter one or both of the remaining MX Nationals rounds in Queensland as further race preparation.

He is hoping to build upon his overall 2012 ranking and feels he can be a factor in the top five.

“I had a good season last year, even with a few disappointing rides I still ended up sixth overall and the top privateer,” he said.

“This year I’d like to see myself a consistent top five rider, and finish the series in the top five.”

Sutherland completes TM Racing Australia’s three-rider lineup for the upcoming Supercross season, joining current riders Nyk Geck and Ryan Ziepes.

The opening round of the 2013 Australian Supercross Championship will be held at Darwin’s Hidden Valley on 14-16 September.