Source: Supplied.

The 2016 MX Nationals series was launched at the Horsham Motocross track alongside the Horsham Rural Council today, with local schools, newspapers, radio and TV crew in attendance, to get a taste of what to expect when the series arrives to the region for round one on April 3.

With some of the top riders in the MX1 class out on the Horsham track this morning to show off to the cameras, local media lapped up the opportunity to get a word and shot of some MX Nationals stars, with round one of the series set to kick off in just under one month’s time.

Cr Heather Phillips, Mayor of Horsham Rural City Council was trackside in Horsham today, alongside other council members to official launch the 2016 MX Nationals series.

“It’s really getting exciting now. I had so much fun being a part of the MX Nationals season opener in 2015, and we are very honored to be a part of the series again in 2016,” Phillips shared.

“It really is a privilege to be holding an event like the MX Nationals. We had our local Governor out here last year as a part of Horsham’s upcoming major motorcycling events, so we are all behind the sport.”

“Even though we currently have the Wimmera Field Days on at the moment in Horsham, the action out here at the track is fantastic, and it’s great to see plenty of local media covering the MX Nationals series launch.

“The boys have really put on a show here today, and we are excited for good old Horsham, to show what we can do for motorcycling events over the next few years.”

CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris, who has recently returned from racing internationally, was one of the top MX1 riders out on track this morning, and says he can’t wait to get the 2016 motocross season started.

“I’m really excited to be back at home in Australia after racing overseas for the last four years, and launching the 2016 MX Nationals in Horsham this morning has been awesome,” he said

“I have been lucky enough to ride at Horsham a couple of times throughout my career so it’s great to see the improvements to the venue, especially in preparation for round one of the MX Nationals.

“It’s actually quite hot out here today which is a nice change to what I have been used to in Europe, and it was great to see media and the council out here supporting what we do.”

Ferris’s team mate and 2015 Australian Supercross Champion Dan Reardon, also had the chance to hit the track this morning, and shared his appreciation in having the local council’s support at the official 2016 MX Nationals series launch.

“It’s awesome to see a rural community like Horsham really getting behind our sport and the MX Nationals series,” he said. “Having the Mayor and council members at the track this morning, especially when there are other major events currently being held in Horsham, just shows how passionate the region is about what we do.

“Last year Horsham was my first race back out of retirement, so round one marks a bit of a special time for me, and I can’t wait to get back here in April.”

Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Jay Wilson was also a part of today’s 2016 MX Nationals series launch, sharing that it’s exciting to be stepping up to the MX1 class after winning the MX2 title in 2016.

“It was great to arrive this morning and see a bunch of smiling school kids hanging over the fence just for our series launch – it shows just how much our sport is growing and I feel really lucky to be a part of that,” he said.

“Horsham is one of the best venues on our MX Nationals calendar – the club and Williams Event Management always put on a great show, so it was awesome to spread that message with the local media today ahead of round one.

“Stepping up to the MX1 class this year has been an exciting challenge for me, and now we are all just hanging to get back here for round one in a few week’s time.”

The first round of the 2016 MX Nationals will be held at Horsham Motocross Track (Dooen Recreation Reserve) on Sunday April 3, 2016.