HQVA press release:

Husqvarna Factory Support racer Ivan Long has celebrated his recent signing with the brand in the best way possible, with a victory in the infamous Deep Well Motocross, south of Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory, over the weekend.

The 27-year-old from Murray Bridge powered his Husqvarna FE450 to victory in the event ahead of Ricky Lane and James Heenan, while Peter Mayor and Steven Maddocks filled out the top five positions.

Held deep in the dead heart of Australia the Alice Springs Motorcycle Club’s unique motocross event is arguably the toughest in the world, and boasting a unique combination of high maximum speeds, maximum temperatures and the longest natural terrain layout of any motocross in the world.

It also boasts a list of previous winners that includes AORC Vice-Champion Tye Simmonds, Australian Motocross Champion Dean Ferris, seven-time Aussie enduro champ Brad Williscroft and Finke desert race winners Ben Grabham and Michael Vroom.

Long’s victory in the event came courtesy of a second in the opening moto, followed by back-to-back wins to wrap up the crown.

Ivan Long: “I’ve only been back on the bike again for a couple of weeks, but sometimes you just need a little refresher, and it sort of clicks. Mentally I haven’t been strong enough in the past, and we’ve still got a lot to learn but we’re a lot better now. The mental game was huge out there because it is 45+ degrees. And it would have been close to 85, 90% humidity. It was hot as. It was a real test to mental strength. It’s one of those races where you’ve got to back off to go fast. It’s like a motocross track but there is no rest, plus you’re in the heat and humidity. When I spoke to Jeff (Leisk, HQVA General Manager) he was very keen and said “let’s do it!” so we threw a quick program together and hopefully we’ll do well this year. I was a bit scared at first because I wasn’t sure what the Huskies were going to be like, but I’ve only had this new bike for a week and I put as much time on it as I possibly could be for Deep Well, and straight out of the box it was actually pretty good. It turned my head, and I think it turned a few other heads up in Alice, as well.”

For more information on Husqvarna motorcycles visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com