Source: Supplied.

Victorian talent Dylan Long has signed a prize deal with the title-winning CDR Yamaha team to contest the 2017 Motul MX Nationals and Australian Supercross Championship.

As reported by MotoOnline.com.au earlier this month, 22-year-old Long will join Dean Ferris aboard the factory YZ450F for the MX Nationals. He finished fifth in the standings this season.

The signing of Long to CDR Yamaha comes as one of the major moves of the silly season, after the Crankt Protein Honda Racing team opted to sign Todd Waters and Luke Clout for next year. That was announced at Moto Expo on Friday.

“When I went in search of a rider for the 2017, my criteria was for the rider to be talented, self-motivated and energetic that will bring that youthful enthusiasm to the team,” CDR owner Craig Dack said. “But most of all, someone who we think we can help mold into a successful racer and Dylan Long fits that list perfectly.

“I have watched him ride for a few years now and during that time there has been fastest laps, races won and round podiums so we know he has the skills. For us it’s a matter of providing him with the right equipment, channeling his energy in the right direction and turning a talented, free spirited rider into a focused and professional athlete that can be a champion of the future.

“We didn’t want to go down the path of recycling older riders as we felt an injection of youth and someone who just loves riding and racing a dirt bike would rub off on the team and Dylan was the obvious choice.

“He has raced Yamahas before, knows the YZ450F well and we welcome him back to the brand. It will be challenge, but it’s one that CDR Yamaha and Dylan are both excited to take on and we look forward to working with a young, talented rider that wants to claw his way to the top.”

For Long, the phone call from Dack was a dream come true: “To be asked by Craig to join the CDR Yamaha team and represent them in racing is a huge honour and something every Australia racer aspires to,” he said. “I have watched how professional the team is and how good the people are in it and I can’t wait to get started with them.

“I love the YZ450F and think it’s an awesome bike and I know that it will only get better as the team develops it to suit me. The first race seems so far away, but I’m motivated and ready to go and proud to wear the CDR Yamaha colours in 2017.”

With Ferris signing a motocross-only deal and Dan Reardon understood to be on the brink of securing a supercross-only contract for 2017, Long will partner each in the respective championships as CDR Yamaha’s lone fulltime entry across both series.