Wilson is stepping in for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Christophe Pourcel, who will sit out the remainder of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series to heal a lingering injury suffered in a horrific crash during the 2016 Pro Motocross season.
“It’s really exciting,” Wilson said. “Getting the call from Bobby [Hewitt] was a great moment. I haven’t had a good, happy day like that in a long time. I’m definitely a lot more appreciative than I’ve ever been for a ride. I feel like my training is all good and I plan to keep the same preparation and momentum going. The goal is to stay healthy and try to get in the top ten. I want to remain focused, working hard and making the team proud.”
The Scotch-born Wilson turned professional in 2009, joining the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki factory team, and he continued to build on his success through his first three pro seasons, posting two Lucas Oil 250cc Pro Motocross Championship round wins in 2010 and earning the Lucas Oil 250cc Pro Motocross Championship in 2011 after posting 11 moto wins and three overall wins.
Injuries began to plague Wilson’s career in 2012, and he was forced to miss the entire Lucas Oil 250cc Pro Motocross Championship. In 2013, Wilson had high hopes for a strong return as he signed with the newly formed Jeff Ward Racing Kawasaki team in the 450cc class, but the team quickly folded and Wilson returned to the Pro Circuit team. However, another injury forced Wilson to the sidelines, and he returned to the 250cc class in 2014.
After two injury-plagued seasons with the Red Bull KTM 450cc factory team in 2015 and 2016, Wilson was forced to begin 2017 aboard a privateer Yamaha YZ450F. Thus far in 2017, he has posted a pair of season-best 11th-place finishes at the last two stops of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series in Anaheim, California, and Phoenix, Arizona.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity, and the ability to take a little more time to recover from my previous neck fractures and prepare for racing,” Pourcel said. “We have been talking about this transition for quite some time and now is the perfect time. I’m looking forward to my future with Husqvarna and the role I will have with them in their new efforts in Canada. I would like to send a special thanks to Bobby Hewitt, as well as everyone at Rockstar Energy and Husqvarna Motorcycles for their continued support through my career.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager Bobby Hewitt said that he he thrilled to have Wilson aboard a factory Husqvarna FC 450 for the remainder of the 2017 AMA supercross and motocross seasons.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Dean during his amateur years and I’m glad to be reunited with him,” Hewitt said. “He will compete at the Supercross in Oakland but only had two days in order to get used to his new FC 450, so this will be a little challenge for sure. However, he has a positive attitude combined with a skill level that I feel confident once he gets used to the Husqvarna will allow him to compete at the highest level.
“Although I’d rather have Christophe racing the remainder of the Supercross season, I’m excited about the future for him and our program in Canada,” Hewitt continued. “Even though those plans were to begin in 2018, I want to thank everyone at Husqvarna Motorcycles and Rockstar Energy for their help in expediting those efforts in 2017. It is just another example of the dedication and commitment of Husqvarna and Rockstar to keep pushing our global partnership to new highs each year! I am thankful to everyone involved for being able to extend our racing efforts to Canada and add another quality rider to the team.”
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