Source: Supplied.

Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing has announced a revised three-rider roster for the 2016 Monster Energy Supermotocross (SMX) Riders Cup scheduled to take place at Veltins Arena in Germany on 8 October.

Christophe Charlier (France) and Thomas Covington (USA) will join team captain Zach Osborne (USA), replacing Jason Anderson (USA) and Max Nagl (Germany), who were initially selected to contest the event, however injuries sustained at last weekend’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations have forced them to withdraw their entry.

Osborne and Charlier will race the event aboard Husqvarna FC 450’s, while Covington will remain on the smaller FC 250 which he has raced all season long.

Husqvarna motorsport vice president Robert Jonas commented on the revised roster, remaining confident that the manufacturer will be well represented at the event and also sharing his well wishes to Husqvarna’s injured athletes.

“Despite the unfortunate injuries to two of our main riders, we can say that we’re still very happy about our rider line-up for the SMX Riders and Manufacturers Cup,” he expressed. “We fully trust and support the event and are looking forward to a great night of racing.”

“We believe it can be the first step towards further growth of our sport. We look forward to the competition and meanwhile we wish a very quick and full recovery to both Max and Jason.”

The Monster Energy SMX Riders Cup will see all seven major manufactures submit a three-rider squad to represent their brand, plus the addition of a joker rider who Husqvarna are yet to announce. Riders confirmed to attend include Ryan Dungey (USA), Tim Gajser (Slovenia), Justin Barcia (USA), Jeffrey Herlings (The Netherlands) and Romain Febvre (France).