Image: Foremost Media.

Proformance Yamaha will field a three-rider roster across both the MX2 and MXD categories for the 2017 Australian motocross and supercross calendar.

The Victorian-based effort will featuring new additions Aaron Tanti and Connor Tierney in the MX2 category, along with existing team member, Hugh McKay, in MXD.

Tanti, formerly part of the BBR Yamaha team, looks forward to the season ahead following just two days of positive pre-season testing with his new team.

“I’ve only been with the Proformance guys for two days now and from what we’ve already done, it’s a completely new level compared to anything I’ve done before,” Tanti told MotoOnline.com.au. “In terms of suspension testing, engine testing and everything like that, I think it’s really going to help me a lot.

“The Proformance deal just makes it a lot easier for me as they transport the bikes and things like that. It’s a better setup overall, the bikes will be better and it’s just a more well organised team.

“It will be good, Bayden [Blanchette] from BBR Yamaha will stay in my corner as my mechanic for 2017 and I finished my trade in December last year, so I have quite full-time work as well.”

Teammates with Tierney just two years ago as Craig Anderson’s Husqvarna-backed outfit, Tanti expects a good team environment with his former teammate, McKay and the team personnel.

“I was teammates with Connor two years ago, so we get along really well and I think it should be a really good year,” he added. “It’ll be a really good team environment with everyone involved.”

Making his move to the MX2 category for 2017, Tierney, a longtime MXD title-leader in 2016, is ready to tackle his rookie MX2 season with the Yamaha-backed outfit.

“I’ve heard all good things about the team and it’s a very professional setup team with a good bunch of guys,” said Tierney. “I’m really excited for this year, I can’t wait.”

Although a highly-talented contender and strong addition to the MX2 field, Tierney will kick off his campaign with a steady approach coming off the back of off-season ACL surgery.

“It’s going to be a bit of a slow start coming off an ACL reconstruction, so I think the first few rounds I’ll need to get into a bit of a rhythm,” he explained. “I’ll be looking to feel out where I am and then try to shoot for some good results and continue to build from there.”

The updated Proformance Yamaha squad of Tanti, Tierney and McKay will kick off their 2017 campaigns on 2 April at round one of the Motul MX Nationals in Wonthaggi, Victoria.