Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Davey Motorsports regular Egan Mastin has been provided a rare opportunity to race alongside Kirk Gibbs and Luke Styke as part of the KTM Motocross Racing Team for this weekend’s Manjimup 15,000 in Western Australia.

The highly-rated 19-year-old has previous 450 experience both here in Australia and in the US, making for unique chance to ride the factory bike at Manijump during the current MX Nationals mid-season break.

“I’m very happy that I’ve got this opportunity,” Mastin told MotoOnline.com.au. “I’m excited to ride on the factory KTM, which is obviously very good and it’s the best team out there. Hopefully I have a good weekend and it’s really awesome to work with Jay Marmont, Danny Apro and the entire team. They’re all nice people, so it’s good to be a part of it and experience that.

“It’s been a little bit of a change from the 250 to the 450, getting used to how to ride it, but it’s been pretty good. I’d be very happy with a top three finish and that’s where I’m aiming, but I don’t want to put any pressure on myself. I just want to have fun and enjoy the opportunity to ride with the team.”

Upon return to Australia in 2017, Mastin has shown immense pace on-board his 250 SX two-stroke, winning moto two at Wonthaggi’s opening round of the season. He’s been on the overall podium at Wonthaggi, Appin and last Sunday at Murray Bridge, currently fifth in the standings.

Mastin is one of several top-level national racers heading west for this weekend’s annual event, joined by the aforementioned Gibbs, Styke and Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Todd Waters, Penrite CRF Honda Racing rider Kyle Webster, as well as internationals, New Zealand champion Cody Cooper, American AJ Catanzaro and more.