Image: Jeff Crow.

Luke Arbon has made the popular American pre-season migration in preparation for his 2016 MX Nationals MX2 championship assault with the SD3 Husqvarna team.

Following talks with fellow South Australian and former factory Suzuki rider Brett Metcalfe, Arbon jumped at the opportunity to spend a month with the accomplished Aussie in Southern California.

“I’m over here in America staying with Brett for about a month,” Arbon told MotoOnline.com.au. “He rode for SD3 Husqvarna at the Adelaide supercross round and we got to do some riding together then. At the time we spoke briefly about me coming over sometime to do some training with him. He still had a Husqvarna 450 sitting here so that’s the bike I am riding at the moment.”

For Arbon the chance to spend four weeks in the US training alongside a rider of Metcalfe’s calibre is a dream come true.

“I’ve always wanted to come ride the tracks over here at some stage, so to be able to come over and do it all with Metty is pretty much a dream come true,” said Arbon. “He’s been one of the best riders in the world for a long time and I’ve always admired his work ethic. So to come here and learn from him is an amazing opportunity and I’m pumped about it. It’s been two days and he’s already helped me so much.”

The aim of the trip will be predominately pre-season testing and conditioning for the upcoming Australian season with the possibility of a local race on the cards.

“My mechanic has come over with me so we can continue our pre-season testing to get the bike better while I get myself better also,” he explained. “At this stage I will just be training over here, I may do a local race but I’m not too sure at this stage.

“A massive thankyou to my bosses Stephen and Dimity, without them none of this would be possible. Also a huge thanks to Brett for taking the time to help me with my riding and training!”

Arbon will return to Australia in lead up to Horsham’s opening round of the 2016 MX Nationals season on 3 April.