Bailey Malkiewicz secures a ride back in Australia
The WBR Yamaha Bulk Nutrients Team has grown to a four rider outfit for the 2021 season with Maximus Purvis and Alex Larwood being joined by Bailey Malkiewicz and Liam Andrews to make a massive line up for the Echuca based Yamaha dealer.
Malkiewicz and Andrews will both unite with the WBR Yamaha team and will contest the MX1 and MX2 classes respectively.
Malkiewicz just returned from a season in Europe and is looking to get things back on track as he competes in Australia for the new season. The 2018 world junior champ endured a frustrating season contesting the MX2 class in the world championships but is now injury free and excited to be back on home soil and ready to mix it up with the big boys on the YZ450F.
“2020 was a hard year for everyone and while I had a great time in Europe and got the chance to race at a world level, there was nothing there for me in 2021 so it was best to come up, re-evaluate a few things and get back to my best form.
“My goals to race at a world level aren’t over and I still aspire to go back as I’m young and have plenty of time, but I need to ensure I got at the right time, with the right support and when I’m healthy and in good form.
“I learned a lot while in Europe and it has made me grow up in many ways. I think I have matured a bit both on and off the bike and can see things a bit more clearly now about where I want to be and what I need to do to get there.
“I’m so thankful for the WBR Yamaha team to step up and help me in 2021. We hade a great partnership in 2018 when I had my most successful year, so I know I’m surrounded by the right people and making the jump to the 450 class is fresh and exciting.
“I cant wait to get the season underway and I will be ready to go at round own of the Pro MX,” Malkiewicz said.
A long time Yamaha rider that moved through the Yamaha Junior Racing program is Liam Andrews, but since turning 16, the Victorian based rider has had a horror run of injuries that have caused him far too much time on the sidelines.
But with the 2020 season dragged to a halt, it was a blessing in disguise for Andrews as he got the time to fully recover from his injuries and get his body back into shape. So, with a big preseason under his belt, Andrews believes he is back to his best and ready to make the next step in his career with the support of the WBR Yamaha team.
“The last few years have been tough as it’s been injury after injury and it just wears you down,” comments Andrews. But the past few months, things have been coming together and I have been able to get some continuity in my riding and training for the first time in a long time.
“Its awesome that Travis and Nathan of WBR Yamaha have been able to find some support for me and I look forward to giving it my all in 2021 and rewarding them for their belief in me,”
Yamaha now has a staggering 10 riders in teams to contest this year’s Pro MX Championship contesting the MX1 and MX2 championships while the MX3 class presence will be significant as Ruder Kingsford, Jackson Camilleri and Kobe Drew while chase the development class championship.
2021 Yamaha Racing MX Team Line -Up
CDR Monster Energy Yamaha: Luke Clout (MX1) / Hayden Mellross (MX1)
Serco Yamaha: Nathan Crawford (MX2) / Jesse Dobson (MX2)
Yamalube Yamaha: Jay Wilson (MX2) / Levi Rogers (MX2) / Rhys Budd (MX2)
WBR Yamaha Bulk Nutrients Team: Max Purvis (MX1) / Bailey Malkiewicz (MX1) / Alex Larwood (MX2) / Liam Andrews (MX2)
Words and pic: Yamaha
