Experienced technician Mike Landman will be a highly-valuable addition to the Crankt Protein Honda Racing outfit for 2017, according to team manager Jay Foreman.

After two seasons the CDR Yamaha team, it was a ‘no-brainer’ for new factory Honda team manager Foreman to recruit Landman as Todd Waters’ mechanic for the upcoming Motul MX Nationals season.

Due to a previous and strong working relationship between Waters and Landman during their time at the previous Honda organisation, as well as his Melbourne-based location, it’s a decision Foreman takes confidence in as the season-opener approaches.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Mike and what he has done and I think the key to getting the most out of the rider is having the right people around them,” Foreman told MotoOnline.com.au. “The riders need people that they trust and believe in, so it was really a no-brainer to target Mike.

“He was someone that Todd had always mentioned he had such a good relationship with during his previous Honda days and I’ve known Mike a long time – he’s been around a long time and he’s someone I could trust. He’s the perfect person because I’m not in Melbourne on a day-to-day basis and Mike’s very experienced, so it was an easy one for us.”

Foreman believes the existing relationship between Waters and Landman will play a key role in the MX1 front-runner’s race day comfort as the former Suzuki team boss handles team duties across the board with both Waters and MX1 rookie Luke Clout.

“Todd does like to have someone there that he can talk to about the track as it’s evolving throughout the day and all of that and it has normally been me,” Foreman explained. “But we have two riders, so I can’t just be dedicated to one rider, and like I said, Todd liked the relationship he had with Mike before, so it will help Todd out with what he likes during the day.”

Landman will make his official debut with the revised factory Honda outfit at Wonthaggi’s season-opening round of the 2017 Motul MX Nationals on 2 April in Victoria.