HQVA press release:

The riders of Husqvarna’s factory support squad are relishing the challenge offered by Queensland’s Coolum circuit on the Sunshine Coast as the 2015 Monster Energy MX Nationals approaches its halfway point.

Husqvarna FC 450 rider Jesse Dobson should be a strong contender at his home round, but as the 18-year-old is quick to point out, conditions in the National round will be very different to practice-day Coolum, and a smart head and dab hand will definitely be required.

Craig Anderson Racing rider Aaron Tanti sees around as an opportunity to achieve the second top-10 finish of his rookie season, after the Husqvarna FC 350 pilot reached the milestone for the first time at Murray Bridge a fortnight ago.

In MX2 the Pioneers of Motocross may well have two front-runners aboard Husqvarna FC 250s, with national number three Luke Arbon confident after his last-start podium, and blazing fast MX2 rookie Nathan Crawford back in good shape after his shoulder and rib injuries.

MXD competitor and Craig Anderson Racing rider Connor Tierney powered his Husqvarna TC 250 to overall victory in Murray Bridge, and like many West Australians before, relishes the prospect of a good sand track battle as he attempts to gather the second win of his rookie U19 season.

Jesse Dobson – FC 450: “Coolum gets super rough and hopefully I can use that to my advantage. I ride Coolum a lot, but from a practice day to a national, it’s not even the same track. It might look the same from the outside, but it’s not. It’s like last year when I went to Raymond Terrace – you go down there and do as many laps as you like, but come national time all those laps don’t even matter, it’s just totally different. You’ve just got to be on your A game. Have good fitness, be smart, and make sure your technique is right and you’ll go pretty well.”

Aaron Tanti – FC 350: “I’m feeling pretty good, after coming off that top-10 last round. It’s boosted my confidence a little bit more. I like riding in sand and I like Coolum, so we’ll see how we go. Again my goal is to finish in the top 10, I just want to make that consistent and hopefully move my way down, and in the championship too.”

Luke Arbon – FC 250 “I’ve been chilling at home in Adelaide and riding and doing my thing. I’ve got a couple of good sand tracks at home here and one of them is pretty similar to Coolum so I’ve got some solid riding in. I think my confidence is up after Murray Bridge – riding has been fun again and I’ve been enjoying it. Last year I went well at Coolum and I think my pace was good, so I’m definitely confident. It’s a five-week break after this is too so it would be good to finish strong and keep the momentum going from Murray Bridge into the break and come out swinging for the last half.”

Nathan Crawford – FC 250 “I’m pretty well back to 100%, my shoulder joint is actually pretty strong now, and my ribs are all good so, it’s not affecting me, I don’t even think about in the back of my mind when I ride any more. I’m a lot better than I was at Murray Bridge so I’m looking to redeem myself this weekend. It’s going to be good to go to a track that you know and have heaps of confidence on, is pretty close to home so all your friends and family will be there. There’s only one goal, and that’s trying to win, so we’ll see. Last year I won three out of three U19s, and Caleb Ward won three out of three in his class. He’s the sand wizard so I guess he is going to be pretty competitive, so it’s going to be fast, it won’t be easy that’s a sure.”

Connor Tierney – TC 250 “I’ve had a pretty good two weeks leading up into it, ridden a few sand tracks and stuff. I’m feeling pretty confident after last weekend, I got a bit of momentum going, so we’ll see what we can do with it. I think the last I raced at Coolum was the 2012 nationals, so I haven’t been there a while, but I seem to do okay there. Should be fun. I know I can be upfront now, so I just want to go there and try to get good starts – that’s the goal.”

For more information on Husqvarna motorcycles visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com.