Image: Foremost Media.

WBR Yamaha has signed Maximus Purvis and Jack Kukas in an all-new line-up for the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals and Australian Supercross Championship, which will once again see the outfit head up Yamaha’s official MXD efforts.

New Zealander Purvis experienced a standout year this season in the development category, scoring a number of wins before finishing up third in the championship rankings.

“I have done two seasons in Australia now and I feel comfortable racing here now as I know the riders and how the events work,” Purvis explained. “But, it’s also the first time I have had major support over here and its cool to be a part of the WBR Yamaha.

“I had to race against them in 2018 and I know how well prepared and organised they were so it’s exciting to now be on the same side as them. I won plenty of rounds last year, but I just wasn’t consistent enough in the rounds that I didn’t win so that’s an area I need to address this year.

“Championships are won on your bad days, so I need to find a way grind out a good result when things aren’t going my way and be consistent across all 10 rounds. I love racing in Australia and the MX Nationals is a great series. Doing the NZ Nationals, the MX Nationals and the Australian Supercross Championship will be a huge year for me, but I can’t wait to get started.”

Queensland’s Kukas, a former Yamaha Junior Racing rider, has just returned from a season campaigning in America, where he completed a number amateur events.

“It’s awesome to be back here in Australia and on the WBR Yamaha team for the 2019 season,” said Kukas. “I have been a Yamaha rider all my life to so get the opportunity to ride for the official Yamaha MXD team is a bit of a dream come true.

“I have already spent a week down with the team in Echuca just getting settled on the bike and meeting everyone. Travis and Nathan are awesome to deal with and are so helpful in getting me comfortable on and off the bike. I can’t thank them enough for giving me this chance and I hope to repay them with some good results.

“The 2019 YZ250F is such a good bike and we have a great group of sponsors on board for next year so I’m going to give it my all and try and get another championship for Yamaha and the WBR team.”

The opening round of the MX Nationals will be hosted in New South Wales on 17 March, with the series boasting 10 rounds over eight weekends.