Image: Supplied.

It’s been revealed Josh Hansen will contest this weekend’s Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland in New Zealand, marking round two of the Monster Energy S-X Open Supercross FIM Oceania Championship.

A late addition to the line-up, former AMA regular Hansen will strengthen a rider list that boasts international stars Dean Wilson (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna), Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) and Chad Reed (Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing), along with Australian Supercross contenders Dan Reardon (Yamaha), Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing), Luke Clout (KTM Motocross Racing Team) and more.

“It’s really cool to be heading back to New Zealand,” Hansen commented. “It’s a stunning country and just makes for a rad trip. I’ve been riding out at the Californian tracks for a while now just getting supercross dialled on the Honda, and I do feel really good.

“I’ve got awesome memories of racing down here, getting the win in ’09 and then the overall championship too. It’ll be cool, obviously Dean, Reedy and Brayton are on it right now – so no doubt it’ll be difficult going up against them, but I’m ready – ready to take them on.”

Hansen captured his maiden win in the now defunct Super X series in New Zealand in 2009, which later translated into a championship-winning year for the American.