Image: Supplied.

Husqvarna Motorcycles will support Stefan Granquist and Emelie Karlsson in the 2023 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), with the pair also set to compete in the Australian Four-Day Enduro (A4DE) and Hattah Desert Race.

The brand’s new off-road line-up has been uncovered ahead of the upcoming season, with highly-capable E3 contender Granquist and EW front-runner Karlsson to spearhead Husqvarna’s official efforts at the national level.

Granquist showcased his podium capabilities once again last season, landing on the AORC E3 rostrum five times before a badly broken leg ruled him out from the Mendooran round. Prior to that injury, he had claimed P3 in class at the A4DE and will be equipped with the Husqvarna FE 501 for the upcoming season.

“I’m really happy to sign with Husqvarna Motorcycles in 2023 and it’s a privilege to join the brand for this season,” Granquist explained. “I’m actually from Huskvarna in Sweden, where the brand is originally from, so it’s pretty special.

“I’m feeling good on the bike at the moment, even though bike time has been pretty limited due to some injuries. I’m returning from a broken tib and fib sustained at the end of last year, then I broke my wrist in late December, so it’s been minimal in terms of seat time. But, at the moment I’m feeling good with a couple of weeks on the FE 501 and there are a few more to go before the first round.

“Everything is going in the right direction and we’re really happy with how everything has panned out heading into the season. The goal is to win the E3 class this year and I believe we have the package to do that, so we’re looking forward to kicking it off.”

Now riding a Husqvarna FE 350, Karlsson is no stranger to success in the EW category, scoring a win at the penultimate round of AORC last year and finishing second in the point standings. She also finished P2 in the A4DE, third at Hattah, and was part of Team Australia’s third-placed Women’s Trophy Team at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in France.

“We got the call in December with the opportunity to switch to Husqvarna, which we were really excited about being from Sweden, where Husqvarna was originally from. I’ve been on the bike for about four weeks now, so we’re excited and our starting point is really good,” Karlsson said.

“The goal for 2023 is definitely to try and be on the top step of the podium, that’s always the main goal, and we’re working towards that. I’m going to do the best I can and take each race as it comes, but the goal is definitely to try and win.”

Both Granquist and Karlsson boast a Swedish heritage and the opportunity to join the Husqvarna Motorcycles brand marks a unique and vast milestone in their careers. Each will commence their 2023 season when AORC series gets underway at Mendooran, NSW, between 25-26 March.

In addition to Granquist and Karlsson, Husqvarna Motorcycles will also continue to support Billy Hargy in the EJ ranks onboard a Husqvarna FE 350, as well as Simford Racing with Samuel Pretscherer at the helm in AORC.