Husqvarna Announces Off-Road Team For 2014

Cycle News Staff | December 19, 2013
Husqvarna announces their 2014 off-road team. Photography Courtesy of Husqvarna.
(From left to right) Husqvarna Race Team Manager Andy Jefferson, Russell Bobbitt, Andrew DeLong, Jacob Argubright and Mike Brown.

Husqvarna made it official today with the announcement of its 2014 off-road team: Mike Brown, Russell Bobbitt, Andrew DeLong and Jacob Argubright. Competing in five different National Championships as well as some international events, they will be the first U.S. team to race the all-new Husqvarna Motorcycles.

Leading the charge will be former WORCS Champion, 125cc AMA Motocross Champion and X Games gold medalist Mike Brown. Brown will, once again, take on the AMA EnduroCross Championship, as well as a host of other select events around the world in 2014.

“It’s a big deal that they want my name to be with Husky,” Brown said in a team release. “For sure, I’m excited. EnduroCross is the main focus, but I’ll be racing a bit of everything – as much as I can to get the brand out there. I’m going to do some of the Australian Enduro X Nationals they’re having in January/February and then finish out the FIM Super Enduro Championship in Europe. I’m going to do the first three rounds of the GNCC series, some enduros and a few AMA Motocross races this year. I’ll be staying busy, for sure, but I’d rather race every weekend than sit around. I’m looking forward to it.”

Four-time AMA National Enduro Champion Russell Bobbitt is happy to be a part of Husqvarna’s rich off-road heritage.

“I’m excited to sign on with Husqvarna especially because it’s such a nostalgic name and company,” Bobbitt said. “My dad was a dealer for Husqvarna 30 years ago and I have a lot of respect for the brand because it carries a lot of history, especially in enduro racing. I grew up looking up to guys like Mike Melton, Dick Burleson and Terry Cunningham; they’re all great guys. The chance to do the same thing as those guys and win a championship for Husqvarna is really awesome.”

Bobbitt will be contesting the AMA National Enduro series as well as defending his title in the OMA Nationals series.

Joining Bobbitt in the National Enduros while also stepping up to the premier class of the GNCC series is Andrew DeLong. The promising GNCC star is a returning Husqvarna rider, but faces big changes in 2014 with a new team, new class, and the new bike.

“It’s a big step, but I think I’m ready for it,” said DeLong, who will be moving up to the 450 class in GNCC. “I’m 200 pounds – that’s a big dude for a small bike. Hopefully I’ll be able to transition nicely onto the 450. The bikes look super awesome and I’m excited to get some time on them. I’m definitely excited about this new season and having guys like Russell [Bobbitt], Brownie [Mike Brown] and Jacob [Argubright] on the team.

Getting his first factory ride is Southern California native Jacob Argubright.

“I’m stoked,” Argubright said about his new ride. “Not only is it my first factory ride, but I’m thrilled to be with a great team that has such a good heritage in the desert. Husqvarna has an all-new FC 450 and I’m going to be the first one representing it in the National Hare & Hound series so I’m real happy about that. I will also be doing the AMA Western Hare Scrambles series and a few extreme races, as well.”