Image: MXN.

Experienced race winner, Luke Arbon, is gearing up for a return to the hotly-contested Motul MX Nationals MX2 category in 2017 following a lengthy recovery process due to a spinal injury sustained prior to last year’s Murray Bridge event.

Initially expected to make the jump to the premier class for 2017 with the now factory-supported SD3 Husqvarna team, the South Australian recently announced he will remain in the MX2 class where he is considered a strong title threat.

Although confident in his decision, 24-year-old Arbon has been set with the task of reverting back to the smaller machine and refining his riding style to ensure he is comfortable once again aboard the Husqvarna FC 250.

“I got a 250 around a month ago – I had been riding a 450 flat out before that,” Arbon told MotoOnline.com.au. It definitely took a little bit to get used to it again, throwing the bike around and stuff, you tend to get a little bit smoother on the 450. But I’m starting to get my head around it again and I’m feeling pretty comfortable and strong on the bike.”

With his sole focus set on returning to peak form aboard the MX2 machine, Arbon and the Stephen McKinnon-owned squad will continue to develop the bike during the final stages of the current pre-season.

“We’re hoping to get into some testing soon, but I’ve just been concentrating on doing laps and making sure that I’m fit and ready to go,” he explained. “As for the bike, it’s pretty similar to last year, we’ve got different forks and a few other things, but we’ve definitely still got a fair bit of work to do with it. I’ll just take it as it comes.”

After finishing third in the 2014 MX2 standings, Arbon has encountered a troubled couple of seasons since through injury and he isn’t discounting the youthful crop of talent making their way through, welcoming the challenge ahead as he shoots for his maiden MX Nationals title.

“I’m feeling good, there’s always the young guys coming through and there’s always massive competition in that class,” he added. “I haven’t raced since round three last year, so I’m taking it as it comes and definitely looking forward to the challenge.”

Arbon will be joined at SD3 Husqvarna by Australian international and MX1 front-runner, Brett Metcalfe, for the entire season, along with returning MXD challenger, Kaleb Barham, as part of the expanded three-rider outfit.