Source: Supplied.

The KTM Off-Road Racing Team has announced Daniel Milner and Lyndon Snodgrass will complete its factory line-up for the 2017 season.

The team will contest the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), Australian Four-Day Enduro (A4DE), Hattah desert race and a selection of alternative events throughout the year.

Milner, a four-time A4DE victor, will join the team after two seasons contesting the prestigious Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series in the US.

“It’s something that’s always been in the back of my mind,” Milner explained. “To come and ride KTM, being such a strong team here in Australia in both desert and off-road [racing]. I’ve looked up to the team since Wonka ran it with Toby and the boys, and it’s a big move for me after being with another brand for the whole of my pro career – I’m really excited to get the opportunity to ride these bikes.

“KTM is massive all over the world and last year in America they had a really strong team in the GNCCs, and they have a really strong team at world championship level as well. Eventually I want to get to Europe and race there, and I think with KTM there is a better chance to make that happen.

“It was a bit of a bummer to lose my A4DE title this year and it’s made me hungry to come and win it back next year on the new bike. The bike is unreal to be honest it so light and manoeuvrable compared to what I’m used to and it handles really well. I got my bike a week ago and I already feel at home on it.”

At only 18 years of age, Snoddgrass collected Outright podiums in this year’s AORC and claimed an impressive podium result in the E3 category at the 2016 A4DE.

“It’s awesome to get this opportunity,” said Snodgrass. “I can’t wait to get out there and work with the team next year. It’s been in the works for a while, so it’s good to finally get it happening. KTM has had a lot of dominance in the off-road scene with Chucky, Tye and Toby, so it’s definitely a great team and I’m excited to be a part of it.

“I’m looking forward to working more closely with Glenn, he’s got a lot of knowledge and I get along well with Dan Milner too, so to have him as a teammate is pretty cool. We haven’t nailed down what bike I will be riding yet, but I’m sure we’ll have that worked out early next year.”

Both Milner and Snodgrass are undecided on which 2017 KTM models they will pursue next year, with a decision expected to be made at later date.

The signing indicates that 2016 AORC champion Daniel Sanders and Tye Simmonds will exit the team for 2017, while KTM is still to announce its desert racing team and support networks for the new year. It was revealed last week that Glenn Kearney will take over as team manager following Ben Graham’s departure from the role.