This weekend marks the start of the highly anticipated National Enduro and National Extreme Enduro Championship. The double header event takes riders to Harding, KwaZulu-Natal, for some of the most iconic trails that the country has to offer.

Husqvarna Racing’s Brett Swanepoel will spearhead the hunt for glory in the National Enduro and Extreme Enduro. He has set his sights on winning both titles on his Husqvarna TE 300i as he takes on the highly competitive field of riders in the E2 Class.

The Husqvarna Racing team has revealed some exciting decisions about young gun Heinrich Aust. Having come painstakingly close to winning the National E1 Enduro Championship last year, the rider will be relentless in his pursuit of the title this season. To best equip him for both the championship fight and faster flowing nature of Enduro, the team has decided to put Aust on a four-stroke Husqvarna FE 250.

In the National Extreme Enduro Championship, the team has moved Aust to a Husqvarna TE 250i as he steps up to the E2 Class. With a strong belief in his immense talent, the team believes that the motorcycle will condition him to become a far better all-round enduro rider.

We catch up with Aust ahead of one of his most exciting seasons yet:

You’re making an exciting move to the E2 Class in the National Extreme Championship this season. What do you hope to gain from this new experience?

It will be my first year on the bigger bike – the Husqvarna TE 250i. I’ll also be racing against far more experienced riders than me. I feel like I’m jumping into the deep end, but that’s how I’m going to get better as a rider. I’m excited to take on a new challenge and push the limits this season, I believe it will prepare me for bigger things in the future.

Tell us about your weapon of choice in the National Enduro Championhip – why you believe this could be the winning machine?

I’m on the four-stroke Husqvarna FE 250 in the National Enduro Championship. It’s an incredible machine that I’ve spent a lot of time on during the off season. I think it will best equip me for both the championship fight and faster flowing nature of Enduro.

Has there been anything new about your training this season that could possibly give you that extra edge?

I get of most my training and fitness done by simply spending time on the bike. I ride multiple times during the week and put a lot of effort into those sessions. If I’m not riding, I’ll do something else like go to the gym or go swimming – but most of my training is done on the bike.

What are your goals with the Husqvarna Racing team?

This year my goal is to get that E1 title in the National Enduro Championship. I would also like to push for a podium finish in the Extreme Championship. Something else I’m aiming for is a top five finish at the Roof of Africa.

Published by: Grant Frerichs

Picture Caption: Rising Enduro talent Heinrich Aust.