Image: Simon Makker.

Victorian Dylan Long has secured official support from KTM Australia for the 2014 Australian motocross and supercross season.

Long, 19, will ride a BBF Motorsports-supported 250 SX-F in the MX2 class when the Monster Energy MX Nationals commence in March, the latest in a high quality KTM support division this season.

“It’s awesome KTM has decided to back me for another year and I’ll try my best to push it through to the top,” Long explained. “Last year I had the speed, but my head wasn’t thinking I could do it.

“But when I was taken off the [Choice Motorsports] team it gave me the motivation to stop thinking negative and now I have another start. I’m training extremely hard to be on the top step or top three by the end.

“I’ve got Tye Rayfeild from Zipfix Mansfield doing all my suspension and my dad, who is my biggest mentor. He won’t hold back with what he thinks so it’s always good to have him.”

While KTM will feature Kale Makeham, Brenden Harrison, Dean Porter and MXD rider Jack Simpson on 250 SX two-strokes, Long has opted for KTM’s four-stroke MX2 contender.

“The KTM is a really fast bike and I’ve always felt really comfortable on it,” he added. “When I was younger I rode two-strokes, but once I got on the four-stroke I loved them straight away, particularly the KTM.

“As soon as I got on it I felt dialled and especially with the newer models are unbelievably good. I enjoy riding them and I want to succeed on one.”

Long finished fifth in his rookie MX2 MX Nationals campaign last year, and sixth in the SX-Lites category during supercross.

KTM will also support Western Australian Louis Calvin in the MX1 class aboard a 450 SX-F with support of Berry Sweet and Mandurah City KTM.