Image: Jeff Crow.

Renowned KTM Australia employee Rob Twyerould will take on a new role in 2016, overseeing KTM and Husqvarna’s race team operations after most recently managing the KTM Motocross Racing Team.

Now the national race teams manager for both European brands in Australia, Twerould’s role includes advising all motocross and off-road teams, relieving KTM Australia general manager Jeff Leisk of the sizable task.

“Everyone reports to me, so that unloads Jeff a little bit,” Twyerould told MotoOnline.com.au. “Everyone was reporting to him and it gets a bit out of control, so anything that’s under the roof here in Emu Plains, I’m responsible for.”

Kyle Blunden, the mechanic who took Kirk Gibbs to his maiden MX Nationals MX championship last year, will step into the KTM Motocross Racing Team manager role for 2016, while maintaining his position alongside Gibbs with assistance from fellow team mechanics Jordan Yeo (Luke Styke) and Jess Foreman (Caleb Ward).

“He’s got a bit of a dual role,” Twyerould said of Blunden. “He will still prepare Kirk’s bike and look after him on race weekends, but now with Jess and Jordan, they’re sharing the load a little bit. Obviously Kyle’s dealing with a lot of the management side of things during pre-season preparation, so Jess and Jordan are hooking in and helping out building the bikes.”

Managing the KTM Enduro Racing Team will once again be off-road legend Ben Grabham, while Glenn Kearney will race and manage the Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team. Danny Apro will continue as KTM Motocross Racing Team crew chief and performance technician for all teams.

Alongside his involvement in the wide-spread national racing activity, Twyerould will continue to maintain his longtime position as technical services manager with KTM Australia around the country.