Image: Supplied.

Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Josh Strang has clarified his position on the recent Team Australia shuffle for the 2019 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), electing not to fill-in for Daniel Milner after initially being snubbed for a spot on the team despite being part of the World Trophy winning squad last year.

Strang remained quiet after being overlooked for team selection when it was announced in May, however following Milner’s withdrawal due to the impending birth of his first child in October, the factory Kawasaki rider has addressed his decision to decline the fill-in role.

“Figured I could answer a few questions about ISDE now everything has all been settled,” Strang said in a social media statement. “First off – I missed selection in the first pick due to the support I was able to receive or what the selectors presumed I would receive and the reliability of my machine.

“This made me even more upset about the choice that was made. Now this week I was asked to fill-in again after Daniel Milner withdrew, but it has been two months, so I have made plans and I wasn’t chosen in the first place, so why should I go now?

“I wish all the boys luck and I hope next year when I put my hand up I will be chosen the first time around. I’m an Aussie so you gotta’ put your two cents in when the time is right.”

Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team’s Fraser Higlett has been drafted into the Recover8-backed defending World Trophy champion squad, where he’ll kine-up alongside Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team), Josh Green (Yamalube Active8 Yamaha) and Luke Styke (Yamalube Active8 Yamaha). The 2019 ISDE is scheduled to take place in Portugal this November.