YAMAHA RACING:

Serco Yamaha will welcome accomplished American rider, Kyle Cunningham to their squad for the opening rounds of Super X, the Australasian Supercross Championship which commences at Tasmania’s Aurora Stadium on Saturday October 17, 2009.

Cunningham, a former member of the Yamaha of Troy team, will fill in for Serco Yamaha regular, Mitch Hoad who continues to recover from an arm injury.

Serco Yamaha Principal, Gavin Eales said Cunningham will ride alongside the team’s regular rider, Kirk Gibbs at the opening three rounds of the series until Hoad is fit enough to return to the team.

“It is great to welcome Kyle [Cunningham] to the team for the first three rounds of Super X while Mitch [Hoad] continues to recover from an arm injury,” Eales said.

“Kyle has had some encouraging race finishes to date including a second in the opening 250cc AMA Motocross race at Washougal.”

Cunningham said that the opportunity to race in Australia will provide him a better opportunity to prepare for the AMA Supercross Championship which commences in January 2010.

“I heard that Serco Yamaha had a rider that got injured so through some connections in the US I started speaking with Gavin [Eales] and I decided to come out and get some races under my belt ahead of the AMA Supercross season,” Cunningham said.

“It’s good for me to be out in Australia getting some additional experience prior to the start of our AMA Supercross season.  I’ve never been overseas for before so it is a good opportunity for me to work while also travelling at the same time.”

Cunningham arrived in Australia a week ago and has been testing and practicing with Gibbs and the Serco Yamaha team near Brisbane.