Image: Supplied.

Raceline Husqvarna will field longtime privateer Joel Evans as Rhys Budd’s SX2 class replacement at this weekend’s AUSX Open, doubling as the final round of the 2024 Fox Australian Supercross Championship in Melbourne.

With Budd ruled out for the final portion of AUSX following his crash in Wollongong, Raceline Husqvarna TDub Racing Team has provided the chance opportunity to 30-year-old SX1 privateer Evans.

“It’s been my dream forever to be on a team and I’m really excited to be riding for the Raceline Husqvarna TDub Racing Team in Melbourne,” Evans commented. “I’ve been able to ride the bike and jumping back to the 250 is a big change after being on a 450 for so long, but once I got on the team’s Husqvarna FC 250, I immediately gelled with the bike.

“I’m stoked about the opportunity and it’s given me a lot of confidence on supercross leading into this weekend – thank you to everybody for the chance to race with the team this weekend.”

Raceline Husqvarna team manager Todd Waters added: “We’ve got Joel Evans onboard for the last round, replacing Rhys Budd. I’m super-excited about this actually, I’ve raced Joel for many years in the 450 class, and he’s been banging on the door of a factory ride.

“One thing that I really like about Joel is that he’s aggressive, because I’ve personally bumped bars with him on many occasions and have always enjoyed racing him – he’s a perfect weight for a 250.

“He’s 30 years old and experienced, so I couldn’t think of anyone better to be riding our bike in Melbourne. I’m all about supporting our Australian riders, he’s had a ride on our bike and he loves it, so we’re heading into Melbourne really confident having him onboard.”

Evans currently sits 14th in the SX1 championship standings with a best overall result of 11th at Redcliffe’s opening round last month. The chance to move to the SX2 division with the official Raceline Husqvarna TDub Racing Team will see him line up as teammates with SX1 team rider Jack Mather this Saturday, November 30th.