Image: Foremost Media.

Victorian talent Dylan Long has been re-signed by CDR Yamaha for the 2018 motocross and supercross season, retained for a second season following an impressive recent Australian Supercross Championship campaign.

Long rode through injury throughout much of the MX Nationals on his way to 13th in the MX1 standings, however rebounded in supercross to claim fourth in the SX1 championship at season’s end.

“Racing for the CDR Yamaha team is the job every racer in Australia wants and despite my injury at the start of the year, I was going to fight with everything I had to hang onto it and I’m stoked to be with the team again in 2018,” Long commented.

“I’m flattered that Craig [Dack] and the team have stood by me while I was injured and now have me back next season. With the year to get to know each other and develop the bike, I can’t wait for 2018 to come as I think we have everything in place for it to be my most successful.

“Racing the new YZ450F in supercross has been amazing and I think the bike will be even better outdoors. I’m going to take a small break over Christmas and then it’s all in for the 2018 season and I’m out to chase some race and championship wins.”

Dack indicated it was a relatively straightforward decision to keep Long for a second term: “We can all see Dylan is an exceptional riding talent, but his work ethic and dedication since his return from injury has impressed me the most and that is now coming through in his results. Since he has got his body right, he has been on a steep learning curve and put in place the right things that will see him continue to climb the ladder of success in Australian motocross.

“We are proud to have Dylan back on board in 2018 and, in fact, retain the same team as this season as I think continuity plays a big part in our success and having the same riders and same technical people in place gives us a huge head start on our competition for the new season. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Dylan and believe his riding will step up a level or two in 2018 and show us what he has got.

“Both riders have a good working relationship with each other and the team members.“Like I said, the fact we have all bonded, know each other’s strengths and weakness as well as what makes each of us tick means we are full steam ahead with plans for next year and enter the season in really good shape. I know as a team we will come out swinging as we are all determined to carry on the success at CDR Yamaha,” added Dack.