Kawasaki Motors Australia press release:

A new-look invigorated National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team is aiming to start the 2016 season on a winning note as they head to the Victorian town of Horsham this weekend to contest the opening round of the Motul MX Nationals.

Two-time former Australian MX1 Motocross Champion Matt Moss and 2015 MX Nationals runner-up Kade Mosig will spearhead the team’s premier class title efforts aboard the KX450F this year, while Jake Moss will pilot the KX250F in the MX2 class.

After a disappointing 2015 plagued by bad luck and injuries, 27-year-old Matt Moss is more than eager to turn his fortunes around in his first year with National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team and return to the top step of the podium.

“It’s a new year, new team and a new me,” Moss explained. “We’re obviously all in the same business to win this championship and heading into round one I feel really good, really confident. The KX450F is a great bike for me and I’ve gelled with the team quickly as well. This first round is about seeing where we’re at with the plan to be there at the end of the championship.

“I’m just looking forward to going racing, because it feels like forever for me, and it’s going to be good to get started. My preparation, not going to America this pre-season, has been the right method with the new team for this year and I feel like we are more than ready for the gates to drop.”

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Mosig is relishing the opportunity to start the season in his home state of Victoria and to rejoin the team he represented in the MX2 class in 2012, but this time as a significant premier class threat. Like Moss, the national number two has quickly acclimatised to the KX450F.

“The change to National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team has been good for me and it’s definitely given me added motivation and drive for 2016,” Mosig said. “I really enjoy working with the entire crew, the whole team has been awesome in the lead-up, and I feel like this year we will be closer to achieving my goals.

“I was close last year, but in learning from my mistakes I believe this year we will be ready to make it happen and win this championship. With a 10-round series and two motos per round, consistency is a big part of it, so I have been working on that, as well as my qualifying approach for Super Pole.

“The KX450F has been really easy to adapt to and I’ve really enjoyed it. The bike’s allowed me to take my riding to the next level and so have the people around me, so we’re definitely ready to go racing.”

The 2016 campaign also sees National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team make a welcome return to the MX2 ranks, with 27-year-old Jake Moss – twin brother of Matt – hungry to make amends for a horror 2015 that saw him miss an entire year of racing for the Kawasaki team.

“Everything is on track for the season ahead and my training has been perfect,” Jake Moss commented. “I’m going into the first round 100 percent, which hasn’t happened for the past four years, and to be in MX2 this year definitely changes the strategy. I’m loving the KX250F, really enjoying working with the team and am going to focus on what I can do round in, round out.”

Race fans can see the new-look National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team first-hand at the opening round of the 2016 Motul MX Nationals at the Horsham Motocross Track (Henty Highway, Dooen, VIC) on Sunday. Gates open from 7:30am and tickets are available at the gate. Otherwise, witness all the action via Livestream on www.nrgtv.com.au.

To follow National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team in-depth across the opening round at course of the season, be sure to ‘Like’ National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team on Facebook or ‘Follow’ @kawasakimotors on Instagram and @KawasakiAU on Twitter.