HQVA press release:

Aussie dirt track legend and veteran Husqvarna racer Paul Caslick will lead a three-rider Husqvarna Factory Support dirt track team into season 2016, after selecting the team’s third and final rider last weekend.

The team’s newest member will be 17 year-old Newcastle ace Max Croker, who will share the Husqvarna awning alongside the nine-time Australian champion, and 13-year-old rising star and Casey Stoner Cup winner, Billy Van Eerde, who rides with support from Chris Watson motorcycles.

Tasked with finding the newest Husqvarna team rider, Caslick chose a unique path, advertising the opportunity on social media and, after narrowing the initial applicant pool shortlist of five, organising a two-day fitness test and selection trial.

The test included stern fitness components utilising mountain bike riding and swimming, and numerous discussions about different aspects of the sport like nutrition, rest and recovery, with particular attention paid to the kinds of foods the riders chose at lunchtime. An afternoon interview session gave the riders a chance to say why they should get a ride.

In what was very hot company, Croker – who last year became the youngest ever competitor to race in the Moto 2 World Championship – earned the ride by virtue of his broad experience and professionalism.

He’ll now compete in dirt track championship races aboard a pair of brand new Husqvarnas, an FC 450 and an FC 250.

Paul Caslick – “Our short list included Max Croker, Sam Lachlan from Canberra, Bailey and Mitchell James from the Hunter Valley way, and Sam Davies from Kempsey, and every one of those kids is a credit to their families. If I had a budget of $150,000, I’d put each one of them on a bike.

Max won the ride because of his experience, his commitment to fitness, his presentation and professionalism. He’s already tasted international road racing, he has won Australian championships in three different disciplines, speedway, road race and dirt track. This kid is the real deal.”

Max Croker – “A lot of people applied and I managed to get chosen so I’m very grateful to get this opportunity to get in there and give it a go. Caso sure gave us a workout; a 2-hour mountain bike ride where a lot of it was uphill, then an hour session in the swimming pool and an interview session.

I’ve done a bit of coaching with Caso in the past and he’s taught me a fair bit about fitness and nutrition, so I’m very honoured to be working with him and also Husqvarna Australia – it’s going to be awesome. I’ve just been invited to race in the Troy Bayliss Classic in the 450 class, and I’m very excited about that one. I got the invitation from Troy personally and it’s a great opportunity, I can’t wait!

For more information on Husqvarna motorcycles visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com.