Travis Whitten WBR Motorcycle press release:

With just days before the inaugural round for 2017, Team WBR Bulk Nutrients have been putting the finishing touches on their 2017 MX Nationals campaign.

This year will see the team line up two riders in MX2, ex BBR Yamaha rider Aaron Tanti along with former MXD gun Connor Tierney. Youngster, Hugh McKay will once again compete in MXD, where he hopes to improve further in his second year after completing 2016 inside the top 10.

It’s been a very busy off season for the team, where the team have further developed the 2017 Yamaha YZ250F’s, extracting more power from the bikes while ensuring perfect reliability. Team manager Travis Whitten notes that the team has no mechanical DNF’s running three bikes through a full season in 2016, which is testament to the strength of the Yamahas and the way the Whitten’s have built their bikes.

The team have been training both on and off the bikes around the country with Aaron and Hugh competing a few events in their home states, as well as a team training weekend attended by 12 members recently in Tasmania.

While there the boys were run through the intricacies of health and fitness and getting the most from their bodies. One negative for Rd 1 is hotshot Connor Tierney being a non-starter. After a strong 2016 season in MXD, where Connor held the red plate for most of the year, he has made the wise decision to allow further rest for an ACL surgery, the second on the same knee.

In Connor’s words, “Although I’m not riding, I will be at the first round to help the team get the ball rolling. I have decided not to compete until the surgeon is 100% happy with my knee. It will be very hard to watch, particularly as I have been training hard and really do feel ready to be out there, but I’ll just play it by ear and hope to line up for Rd 2”.

While that door has shut for Connor, WBR Bulk Nutrients have opened a great opportunity for local rider Lachy Steen, lining up to replace Connor for Rd1.

Lachy has been connected with WBR since 2013, and has raced various amateur cup events from 2015. Lachie has also put a huge effort in the off season preparing both his body for racing, so will give make the most of the opportunity to shine in Wonthaggi. Racing in his home state in Victoria makes the event even more special for him.