Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Caleb Ward will contest the 2017 MXGP World Championship with the 8Biano Racing aboard a Husqvarna FC 250 in the hotly-contested MX2 category.

A long-time goal for the young rider from North Queensland, Ward is excited to head to Europe to begin testing with the team.

“I’m super excited to become part of the team of eight racing for the 2017,” said Ward. “To get to compete in the world championship of motocross has been for me a goal and a dream at the same time, I’m really excited to have this opportunity. I can’t wait to arrive in Europe and to test the new bike.”

As a departing member of the Australian-based KTM Racing Team, Ward expects the switch to Husqvarna equipment to be relatively straight forward.

“For a long time I competed with bike ktm, which are very similar and therefore, the switch to a Husqvarna should be pretty easy for me,” he added. “I am also anxious to compete for the first time on all paths, new for me, and with new opponents. I think it will be a great experience from which I can learn a lot. I can’t wait that the start of the season!”.

Ward will kick off his fulltime world motocross career at round one of the 2017 MXGP World Championship in Losail, Qatar on 25 February.