Image: Simon Cudby.

GEICO Honda has announced this week that it will continue to field a 450 in 2016 after signing Justin Bogle for the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross seasons in the premier class.

Bogle takes the seat of Monster Energy Kawasaki-bound Eli Tomac, in what will be his first full seaoson on the American Honda factory-backed CRF450R.

“The time is right to move up and I’m really excited it’s with the GEICO Honda team,” Bogle said. “Knowing everyone here and working with the same group of people will make this transition so much easier. I’m really comfortable with this team, always have been and I trust in everything these guys do for the riders.

“Big thanks to [team owners] Jeff Majkrzak, Ziggy [Rick Zielfelder], Mike Grondahl and everyone at Honda for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. This is what you dream about as a kid when you’re racing every weekend at the local track and pushing yourself to get better. It’s for all the work you put in when your friends are going out and having fun. This is the ultimate dream come true.”

To prepare for his transition to the top tier of the sport, Bogle returned from injury and competed on a GEICO Honda 450 in the last three outdoor races this year, giving him some experience at the top level.

Bogle joined the GEICO Honda team as an amateur in 2011, the same year he earned the AMA Racing Motocross Horizon Award, and he went on to deliver the official Honda outfit the 2014 Eastern Regional 250SX title.