Image: MXN.

KTM Motocross Racing’s Caleb Ward is set to make the move to the premier class aboard a KTM 350 SX-F at this weekend’s annual Manjimup 15,000 event in Western Australia.

The Motul MX Nationals MX2 regular and former series leader had the the one-off move to the 350 planned in advance with the factory KTM team and looks forward to testing the waters against top tier riders such as teammate Kirk Gibbs.

“Last year when I was working out my contract with KTM, we agreed that I would ride a 350 at Manjimup,” Ward told MotoOnline.com.au. “It’s good to be able to get my feet wet and race guys like Kirk [Gibbs] and Todd [Waters] because this is my third year in MX2 and I’ll have to go up to MX1 soon.”

Although not 100 percent comfortable on the larger capacity bike, Ward did contest the 2015 Mountain Man Motocross race on the 350 and has spent a considerable amount of time aboard the bike while practicing at his home in North Queensland this year.

“I have a 350 at home and I’ve done around 25 hours on it since the end of last year,” he said. “I practice on one a bit, so it’s not like I’m going from a 250 to a 350 without ever riding it, I feel half comfortable on it already so it should be good.”

The 2014 MX2 Manjimup 15,000 winner will enter this weekend’s event with hopes of running with the lead pack on the challenging sand circuit.

“I think I’ll be reasonably competitive,” he added. “I don’t think I’ll go out and smoke them or anything like that, but they’re pretty short races I think, so if I get a good start I should be able to run at the pointy end.”

KTM Motocross Racing will again field a two rider squad in Manjimup as MX1 rider Luke Styke continues to recover from an ongoing achilles injury.