Bird's flying for MPS
By TMX Archives on 18th Dec 08
ASTON Bird has been signed by Yorkshire-based MPS Husqvarna, for the 2009 season, to join Si Wakely and Gavin Houson in its assault on both the British and World Enduro championships.
Aston, 27, is joining the MPS Husqvarna Enduro team to prove that successful motocross racers can also become successful Enduro racers, a trend started last year by Antoine Meo with the factory Husqvarna team. Aston joins MPS having secured both the 2008 ACU Eastern Centre MX Championship and the ACU Eastern Centre Enduro Championship, so he's no stranger to the podium.
Aston (pictured right) will be campaigning GBXC, British Enduro Championship and World Enduro Championship rounds alongside team-mate and current British E2 Enduro Champion, Si Wakely. Si will again be racing the fuel injected Husqvarna TE450 and hoping to improve on his World Championship results from 2008 whilst retaining the title of British Champion.
The third member of the MPS Husqvarna team is Gavin Houson. 2008 was a difficult year for Gavin, sidelined by injury for most of the season but, for 2009, Gavin is back on form, campaigning a WR125 in GBXC and British Enduros, with a selected number of World and European Enduro rounds also being undertaken.
MPS Team Principal, Mick Seward commented: ‘‘We are extremely pleased with the team line-up for 2009. Si has proven himself capable of beating multiple world champions on a standard production bike and we are confident Aston can transfer his unquestioned speed from motocross to enduro. MPS Husqvarna is now recognised as a serious team at world level and our 2009 rider line up should ensure our results are better than ever.''
Seward continues: ‘‘We've al-ready tested the 2009 Husqvarnas and are very impressed with the new bikes. Our experience from 2008, combined with the factory development for 2009 and the new Husqvarna ‘Special Parts' range, should ensure we have the best Enduro bike in the paddock at the Muntjac in February.''
For the ‘Veteran class', MPS will be supporting Mark Houson on a TE250 and Mick Seward himself will be riding selected events on a TE310.
MPS will be racing in 2009 thanks to the ongoing support of Husky Sport, Motul Oils, Gaerne boots, Nau helmets, Pro Grip, Renthal, SIS Energy Products and The Sign Shop. Further sponsors to be confirmed shortly.