Motorcycling Australia press release:

With a massive fortnight of racing set to hit Queensland in the coming weeks, New Zealand Motocross legend, Darryl Hurley, will make an epic return to the Australian Motocross Championship, to take part in the two northern rounds on May 17 and 24.

Hurley, who semi-retired from professional racing at the end of the 2008 Championship, will return for rounds three and four of the MX Nationals taking place at Toowoomba and then a week later at Koumala near Mackay.

Known as one of the sports toughest competitors, the 33 year old was one of a handful of riders to challenge 2008 Champion, Jay Marmont (Yamaha) placing second overall.

Riding again with Team Shift Motul Suzuki, Hurley looks set to shake things up in the Pro Opens class and show the young-guns at the top of the points score who’s boss.

Shift Motul Suzuki Team Manager, Jay Foreman, said that despite taking some time out from the pro-racing scene, Hurley was keen to ride against Australia’s best once again.

“He wants to come back and do a couple of races, he’ll do these two rounds to start with and we’ll see how he’s feeling and go from there,” Foreman said.

“He misses racing and wants to come back, which is good for Suzuki and everybody, he’s a likeable guy and we all enjoy having him around.

“There’s not a whole lot of racing over there [New Zealand] right now, just a few small local days one of which he’ll race this weekend, but there’s no major races, which is why he’s missing it.”

Hurley will now rejoin 2008 teammate, Matt Moss – who is currently placed third in the Pro Lites class – along with fellow veteran, Cameron Taylor, and has been training hard in the lead up to his return.

“Everything Daryl does, he does 100 per cent, so he’s been training hard,” Foreman said.

“If he’s coming back he’s going to give it everything he’s got so he’s been riding every day, training and preparing himself and I can’t wait to see him back in action.”

The third round of the 2009 Motocross Nationals will be held at:

Toowoomba Motocross Club
Corner Nelson and Ramsay streets
Toowoomba, QLD

The fourth round of the 2009 Motocross Nationals will be held at:

Gum Valley Motorcycle Club
Thompson Road
Koumala (near Mackay), QLD

Admission:

Sunday (on-track action from 8:30am):

Gates open from 7am
Adult $30
Family (Two adults, two kids) $70
Kids (5-15 years) $15

Stay tuned to www.ozmotox.com.au for all the latest news and results.