The Dutch Carglass-Honda Racing has welcomed New Zealand’s Dylan Walsh to its team to race in the European 250 Motocross Championship aboard a Honda CRF250 this season.

The British-born Christchurch-based 19-year-old has experienced racing in both the United States and New Zealand, where he is currently second in the standings for the 2017 National Motocross Championship (MX2 class).

This year has already seen Walsh take four moto wins, including a clean sweep in round three of the New Zealand Nationals, and top-three finishes in all but one moto. Walsh currently sits only 11 points behind the current championship leader, defending champion Hamish Harwood, from Takaka. The fourth and final round of that series is at Taupo this weekend.

Walsh has also competed in both supercross and motocross events in the United States during 2016; including the Daytona Ricky Carmichael Supercross, James Stewart Spring Championship and the Loretta Lynns Amateur Motocross National. The talented youngster also claimed fourth in the 2016 Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas (Amateur All-Stars 250 class).

The 2017 European 250 motocross season will be contested over nine rounds, with Pietramurata (Trentino) in Italy kicking off the proceedings in April (15-16).

“I am really excited to announce that I’m riding for Carglass-Honda in the EMX250 class, they have a good bike and a good team,” said Walsh, who will be teamed up with Australian Jed Beaton.

“I can’t thank them enough for this opportunity and I’m ready to get the season started with them! I’ve always wanted to race in Europe so I’m pumped to be heading over,” Walsh said.

Team manager Patrick Claessens said he was thrilled with the new development.

“I am very happy to have signed Dylan Walsh. Dylan is doing very well in the New Zealand Championship at the moment and we are looking forward to seeing him in the European races on his Honda CRF250. Together with the team, Dylan will work hard to be in the battle at the front of the races. Dylan’s first race here in Europe will be in Harfsen (9 April) and one week later the EMX250 championship will start in Arco.”

Gordon Crockard, Honda Motor Europe Off-Road Manager had this to say:

“It is fantastic that Honda have secured Dylan Walsh to ride their CRF250 in this year’s EMX250 Championship. The CarGlass/GivingBack Honda Racing Team are young, motivated, and ready to win. Just the perfect environment for Dylan to be in as I believe he is made of the same ingredients. I don’t expect that anyone who travels all the way from the other side of the world in New Zealand will give anything other than all they’ve got.”

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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