Image: Cameron Taylor/DMT Visuals.

Making the jump to the premier MX1 class for 2016, Team Honda Racing’s Jay Wilson has been hard at work aboard his CRF450R in the lead-up to Horsham’s opening round of the MX Nationals on 3 April.

The reigning MX2 champion made the switch following an unfortunate run of injuries, which saw his initial transition take-off slower than the now Victorian-based rider had hoped.

“The transition to Honda and the 450 has been quite good, although it started off a little bit slow as I was coming off injury,” Wilson told MotoOnline.com.au. “I crashed in Europe and then I came back and broke my wrist after just two weeks back on the bike.

“I had probably 13-14 weeks off, really. I hopped onto the 450 and figured I’d start improving quite quickly, but I had to take into account that I had a lot of time off the bike, so it was a little bit slower than expected.”

Back into his regular training, riding and testing program, Wilson’s confidence is increasing on the new ride and the 21-year-old looks forward to kicking off the season with the brand new Team Honda Racing squad.

“Now we’ve had some time on the bike I’m starting to feel really good,” Wilson added. “We’ve been doing some testing and it’s all coming along strong, I’m just looking forward to getting some more time under my belt before the first round and just enjoy it. Everybody that’s been involved in the new team is great and I’m looking forward to the new season.”

Working alongside former MX1 MX Nationals champion Josh Coppins in recent years has played a key role in his ability to adapt to the 450 and ride it correctly according to Wilson.

“I’m feeling really good on the 450 and I think the style that I’ve developed over the past few years working with Josh is really going to suit the 450 now,” he explained. “That’s one of the biggest things I tried to change last year, changing my style to help me later in my career stepping up to the 450.”

Wilson is focusing on the big picture in 2016, keeping his cards close to his chest and looking towards a solid overall finish on the championship ladder when the season closes at Coolum’s final round.

“Everyone makes a big deal of rookie seasons and that you’re not expected to win, but I’ve got my own goals and an idea of where I should be,” Wilson said. “I’m just going to go out there and do my thing, I know where I should be and I think as the season goes on we should build and be there towards the end of the season.”

Team Honda Racing and Wilson are currently in talks to make his official Honda debut during the final two rounds of the 2016 New Zealand Motocross Championship.