Image: Jeff Crow.

Multi-time Australian motocross and current supercross champion Matt Moss will ride for the NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki team in 2016, MotoOnline.com.au can now exclusively make official.

Moss, 27, confirmed his future was secure in September after Suzuki Australia announced it was closing its factory team next year, but stopped short of confirming his new direction.

NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki team manager Troy Carroll has today confirmed that Moss has signed to ride the team’s brand new 2016 model KX450F and welcomed him to the Brisbane-based operation.

“It’s exciting for NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki to sign a rider with so many championships to his credit,” Carroll commented. “Matt Moss has got that hunger and we know he can win championships, so we’re looking forward to 2016.

“The new 2016 Kawasaki, everything we do to it, it’s responding really well and we’re getting some really, really good numbers out of it. The way the bike handles, it’s lighter, faster and an all-round package. We’re really looking forward to the off-season when we go out and do a lot of testing with it at Carroll Motorsports for next year.”

The arrival of Moss at NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki for 2016 had been speculated in the lead-up to this afternoon’s confirmation, now able to share his excitement on joining the team for the new year.

“Obviously there are some great people behind it, with TC winning a lot of championships during his racing career,” Moss said. “Working together and being on the new bike with a fresh start will be great.

“I think the team’s grown a lot in the past two years, so I think with me on it we can definitely win championships. The new bike’s a major thing and I can see the team wants to develop it – that was a major thing when signing, to make sure I can do as much testing as I want to.

“Next year’s going to be a big year for motocross with guys coming back from overseas and it’s a massive one for me. It’s good to be with a team that wants to win, I know I want to win, so I think we’ll be able to get the job done.”

The team is yet to sign its second MX1 rider for next season, however that position’s expected to be finalised during the current supercross season. Carroll has also moved to quash rumours that the factory Kawasaki team will field Jake Moss in MX2 in 2016, with no plans in place at this point.