Image: John Pearson.

New South Welshman Josh Green believes he’s in a good place ahead of the opening round of the 2019 Yamaha bLU cRU Australian Off-Road Championship, scheduled to launch on 9-10 March at Toowoomba in Queensland.

The Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing Team rider is set to pilot the all-new WR450F in the E2 category, the number 99 already declaring his comfort aboard the updated machine introduced for 2019.

“I have really gelled with the 2019 WR450F since the first day I rode it and feel that the changes Yamaha have made have improved the bike significantly,” said Green. “My times in testing have improved and we have just fine tuned the bike for Australian race conditions and I’m confident we are in a good place heading into round one.”

Green will be be joined by reigning E1 champion Luke Styke at the factory Yamaha squad, who’ll defend his crown in the class, while two-time Under 19’s champion Michael Driscoll will graduate to the professional ranks, contesting E1 alongside Styke.

Not only backing the series and the Active8 squad, Yamaha Motor Australia has also thrown its support behind a list of riders, including Stefan Granquist, Jeremy Carpentier, Nic Tomlinson, Riley Graham, Kirk and Harley Hutton, as well Jess Gardiner and Emelie Karlsson in the Women’s division.