Image: Simon Makker.

New Zealander Brad Groombridge will finish out the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals for the Husqvarna Motocross Racing Team, replacing Brock Winston following his dramatic exit from the Berry Sweet-backed program.

Winston quit midway through the Raymond Terrace round of the series earlier this month, prompting Anderson to draft in current NZ MX1 number three Groombridge in the lead-up to this weekend’s penultimate round at Gladstone.

It’s the third MX Nationals appearance of the season for Groombridge, who finished an encouraging eighth at Broadford on board a privateer Suzuki before replacing countryman Cody Cooper and finishing 16th at Appin within the Penrite Honda Racing team.

Husqvarna team manager Craig Anderson is certain Groombridge can perform strongly at Gladstone and Coolum. He’s spent time aboard an FC 450 in NZ through former national champion and Anderson rival Daryl Hurley’s Action Motorcycles dealership.

“It should be good, you know, he did pretty well in New Zealand and then the first round here at Broadford he ended up eighth,” Anderson told MotoOnline.com.au. “Daryl Hurley has quite a lot to do with him and I speak to him quite a lot. He said he gives it his best and is a good guy, so I’m looking forward to a couple of really good rounds.

“Brad has been doing some laps in New Zealand on a Husky, but just not our bike yet. For the final rounds we will focus on him and Egan [Mastin] in the Under 19s.”

This weekend’s Gladstone round will mark the official retro event of the season, with Anderson’s Husqvarna outfit to unveil a one-off livery in memory of late Gladstone local, Jono Porter.