Justin McDonald (pictured) will be joined by Swedish ride Calle Aspergren at MX Factory Honda. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Swedish newcomer Calle Aspergren will join the MX Factory Honda team at this weekend’s second round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship.

Aspergren will take the place of injured Kiwi Michael Phillips at Coonabarabran in the MX1 class, with the latter forced out due to a broken foot suffered in the opening moto at round one.

“I was really looking to put in solid results at these few opening rounds to this years ten round title chase,” Phillips said.

“Unfortunately in the opening stages of my first moto last week in Queensland I suffered some damage to my foot that mean I will miss this weekends event in Coonabrabran.

“My mechanic Ben had the Honda working really well for me and I felt very comfortable even with our limited test schedule before round one, so I am itching to get back at it and show the work I have put in to prepare for this title chase.”

Aspergren, 21, was a solid 14th overall in the MX1 field at the opening round on his near-stock Honda CRF450R and the team will be extending support to him this week to help him build his championship momentum while Phillips is out.

Last year Aspergren ran a limited schedule in the 450 class in the AMA nationals scoring points with some top 20 moto scores against many of the world’s best riders.