Luke Clout and Aaron Tanti will continue with the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team for the 2023 motocross and supercross season after both riders recently renewed their current contracts with the team.
The Team has won consecutive ProMX Championships in 2021 and 2022 with Clout and Tanti respectively and are delighted to retain the services of both riders believing they have the riders, the bike and the team for continued success into the future.
The 2022 season hasn’t been a pleasant one for Luke Clout as he was reduced to just three national races due to injuries. While leading the ProMX championship this year, Clout fell at round two in Mackay and was ruled out for a long period of time with a complicated break in his lower leg. He returned to racing for the opening round of the supercross where he again fell, this time injuring his thumb.
With both injuries now healed, Clout is looking to get back to full speed and fitness in preparation for the 2023 season. He is motivated and ready to get stuck into a full preseason with the support of the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team.
“On track, 2022 is a year I would like to put behind me and move on from,” Clout explained. “I barely did any races due to injury and I’m not a good spectator of any racing so it was frustrating to sit and watch while I was unable to ride.
“But all it has done is motivate me to get back to my best and race again in 2023. You don’t realise how much you miss something until you can’t do it and I now have a greater appreciation of what we do and how much fun racing a dirt bike is for a job.
“I’m pumped to be back with the CDR Yamaha team and excited to get on the new YZ450F. Everything I have read about the 2023 model bike has been positive and it’s been really well received around the world. So for me, I’m excited to race the new bike, excited to be back with the CDR Yamaha team and excited to be back racing again and doing what I love.
“I can’t wait for the season to start,” Clout concluded.
Aaron Tanti was the revelation of 2022. Tanti signed with the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team for the 2022 season and simply stepped up his game in every aspect. He began the season with a goal to grab some podiums, by the end of the year, he was the 2022 ProMX Champion, winning races at World Supercross and taking it up to Justin Brayton in the Australian Supercross Championship. It was a remarkable season for the Queensland based rider.
But the goal for 2022 is set even higher for Tanti as he knows he is now the hunted and not the hunter.
“Every year I aspire to be a better rider and that won’t change for 2023,” Tanti begins. “2022 has been good to me but I can’t afford to be the same rider as I was this year as the competition will be better, so I need to improve.
“I want to be fitter, I want to be faster, I want to be smarter with my racing and they are just some of the things I will work on over the off season. We have a new bike to get dialed in and I’m 100% confident the team with give me the best bike on the track, so I need to focus on what I can be better at and turn up at round one ready to execute as the level in the MX1 class in Australia is as good as it’s been for some time now.
“I will take a short break over Christmas, then its back into it as we work towards March 5 when the ProMX championship starts again,” Tanti said.
Both riders are signed for the Australian ProMX and Australian Supercross Championship. Team owner Craig Dack targeted both riders and feels the mix of Clout and Tanti can match it with anyone or any team.
“We are elated to have both Aaron and Luke back representing the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team for 2023. Both have shown over the last two seasons to be the best Australian riders at both motocross and supercross as well as a proven work ethic that delivers success.”
2023 will also mark the 30th year of CDR Yamaha. Formed in 1993 after the four-time Mr Motocross winner, Craig Dack, retired from racing, CDR Yamaha has gone on to become the most successful motocross team in Australia winning over 40 national championships in its history and a long-time partner of Yamaha Motor Australia.
“We have a range of activities and promotions planned during 2023 for our 30th anniversary,” Team owner, Craig Dack enthuses. “It’s been an honour to represent Yamaha and our long-term partners like FOX, Dunlop, Pro Circuit, Monster and Yamalube for such a long period of time and the sustained success of CDR is something myself and everyone involved with the team over the journey can be proud off.
“We will again surround the riders with the best support network possible and the team can’t wait to get our hands on the new YZ450F as we believe this bike can only elevate the riders and the team in 2023. Winning both championships would be the best way to celebrate our 30th year,” Dack offers.
The Australian motocross season gets underway with the opening round of the ProMX Championship to be held at Wonthaggi in Victoria and run through eight rounds before the final round at Coolum in August.
It is also anticipated that the Australian Supercross will be contested over five rounds starting later in the year.
