Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

Hard working racer Hugh McKay and talented teenager, Bailey Malkiewicz, will headline the Yamaha supported MXD effort in 2018 racing for the Bulk Nutrients Yamaha team on board the class leading Yamaha YZ250F.

The newly appointed outfit will see the hard charging young duo chase victory in the MXD (under19) division at the MX Nationals as well as contest the SX2 class in the Australian Supercross Championship.

Hugh McKay has worked with the team over the past two seasons and continues to grow as a rider with some outstanding results in the 2017 season. McKay puts his heart and soul into racing and is as dedicated and determined as ever to finish his final year in the MXD category with championship success.

McKay finished the 2017 MXD championship in fourth place but his improvement in the back half of the season was noticeable and he enters the new season looking to build on the momentum he has gained.

“I am really looking forward to taking the next step,” McKay begins. “With it being my last year in the U19s, I want to do everything I can to put myself right up towards the front and battling for a championship.

“I’m really happy to have re-signed by Bulk Nutrients Yamaha for another year. It’s great to be surrounded by the hardworking group at WBR who understand my goals and do everything they can to help me work towards them.

“It’s awesome to still be on the Yamaha as it’s a bike I feel really confident on and know my equipment will be the best out there. I’m looking forward to a big year ahead,” he ends.

Alongside McKay will be rising star, Bailey Malkiewicz. Malkiewicz, will make his MXD debut this season after winning the Australian Junior Motocross championship in 2017, his final year as a junior competitor. He now makes the big step up to professional racing with the guidance of the Bulk Nutrients Yamaha Team.

Malkiewicz not only impressed with his speed on gruelling outdoor motocross tracks but also showed he has skills on the tight supercross circuits as he did extremely well in the final few events of 2017 and at 16 years of age, is destined to be a major player in Australian motocross if he continues to work hard.

“I’m looking forward to a fresh start on a Yamaha, with a new team and also keen on racing a full season of MX Nationals and Supercross. It’s exciting to be a part of the Bulk Nutrients Yamaha race team for 2018 and I know that we can put in the work and hopefully achieve some goals and make 2018 a year to remember.

“I have only just jumped on the Yamaha but the bike feels amazing and I can now understand why it has won so many championships in Australia.

“With the people and the team behind me, I know that we will be able to get it done in 2018 and look forward to working with Yamaha in the future, Bailey said.

There will also be a few changes behind the scenes with the team now more aligned with Yamaha then ever before. Yamalube and GYTR have come on board with a great support package for the team as well as a huge investment by Ficeda Imports with their range of high quality products.

Team principle, Travis Whitten, has juggled his commitments of running a successful Yamaha retail outlet in Echuca in Victoria, as well as grow the race team but loves the challenge and is looking forward reaping the rewards of the hard work he and his team have put in.

“2018 marks an exciting year for the team and some massive shoes to fill. We are confident we have a good group of people and will provide a great environment for the riders to achieve their goals.

“The team will all work extremely hard to keep such a prestigious program Yamaha has at the top and show case just how good the Yamaha YZ250F is. Our goal is simply race for the championship and also give our riders the tools they need to further their careers and go on to be Yamaha MX2 front runner in years to come,” Whitten offered.

The MX Nationals gets underway on April 15 at the Newry Circuit in Victoria.

Follow the Bulk Nutrients Yamaha team at http://www.wbrmotorcycles.com.au/ or on social media www.facebook.com/WBRBULKNutrientsRacing or @wbr_racing