GP great Jeff Leisk expects a challenging MX Nationals round this weekend.

World Motocross GP legend Jeff Leisk has warned Monster Energy MX Nationals contenders that the deep sands of Wanneroo in Western Australia will make for one of the toughest rounds in 2012.

Western Australian local Leisk, now general manager of KTM Australia, says that Wanneroo is one of the sandiest tracks he’s ever witnessed worldwide, looking ahead to this weekend’s fourth round of the MXN series.

Leisk will be on hand to watch over the JDR/KTM Factory Racing team’s performance this weekend, and his experience could play a pivotal role as team riders Josh Cachia and Dan Reardon adapt to the deep sands of Wanneroo.

“Wanneroo is one of the sandiest tracks that I’ve ever come across in the world, in terms of how deep and sugary the sand is,” Leisk explained. “I know that the boys have been here since late last week preparing, getting used to the deep sand.

“There has been a little bit of rain around, which tends to make the sand heavier, and that can make the bumps a little bit sharper and tougher to ride. This will be one of the toughest tracks of the season, both technically and physically.

“Later in the day at Wanneroo you don’t get too many chances to sit down and have a rest – this is where riders’ hard work will pay off.”

With KTM’s national base in Western Australia, the Wanneroo round marks a special occasion for the brand. The MX Nationals will return to WA following a two-year hiatus.

“Most of our staff will come out and have a look, so finally it’s pretty neat to have the Australian championships back here,” Leisk added. “It seems like the WA round lasts for a year or two and then disappears for a few, so for me that’s a bit frustrating.

“For KTM, WA is 12 or 13 percent of our national market and 10 to 12 percent contribution to a team’s racing budget through sales warrants a visit by the team.

“We feel WA does get neglected when you look at those metrics, so it’s awesome to see them here competing. Everybody is looking forward to it.”

Cachia will spearhead the team’s MX2 assault on the 250 SX-F, currently sitting fourth in the standings after picking up his first podium of the season last time out at Wonthaggi.

Between Cachia and teammate Ryan Marmont, JDR/KTMs have claimed all nine MX2 holeshots so far this season in the MX Nationals series, however Cachia will have to uphold that status alone this weekend while Marmont recovers from injuries sustained earlier in the season.

Marmont joins teammate Brenden Harrison on the sidelines for the round after a disappointing start to the year with injuries plaguing the pair. Harrison is expected to return for round six in July following the mid-season layoff.

In the premier MX1 class it will be Queensland’s 2007 series champion Dan Reardon flying the KTM flag aboard the 450 SX-F. Reardon sits ninth in the standings to date, but will be looking to climb the ladder after spending this week in WA preparing for the series’ return to Wanneroo.