Image: Supplied.

Dyson Motorsports Kawasaki has announced its rider line-up for the 2018 MX Nationals season, signing Rhys Carter, Aaron Tanti and Dylan Woods to compete across all three championship categories.

New Zealand front-runner Carter, 28, will form the team’s MX1 entry aboard the KX450F in what will mark his full-time return to Australian competition in the upcoming season.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to race in Australia again and battle with the guys over there,” commented Carter. “I like the scenery, the people and working with Jess and Jay Foreman. I’ve worked with them closely in the past and it was a pleasure. To be working closely with a manufacturer overseas is a big thing for me as well and thanks to the team owner Sean Dyson for having belief in me.”

Leading the team’s MX2 charge will be 21-year-old New South Welshman Tanti. He was a standout in the first half of last year’s championship only to have his season cut short with a foot injury, but will be back to full-strength for 2018.

“I get to operate with some great guys like Jay and Jess Foreman, who have worked with champions, so it’s a great opportunity for me to develop as a rider and I’m so keen to ride the KX250F,” said Tanti. “Last year was one of my most terrible years. I was injured in the MX Nationals and I had a practice injury that put me out for the rest of the season.

“With about four weeks of training before supercross, I was doing pretty well in the start, but had to pull out from another injury. Since then I’ve been doing a lot of rehab and training so I am more than ready and feeling pumped for this year.”

Joining the pro class combination of Carter and Tanti next season will be MXD entry Woods, the 17-year-old who remains part of the Dyson Motorsports fold for another season, this time riding a KX250F with added manufacturer support.