Pelle Granquist to attend 2010 HBBB

Former Australian motocross champion Pelle Granquist will attend the 2010 Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza (HBBB) in Broadford over the Easter weekend (April 3-4).

Granquist, born and raised in Sweden, will perform demonstration rides on a 1978 390cc Husqvarna, the same type of machine which he first used to take on the likes of Stephen Gall in the legendary Mr. Motocross title.

Born in the town of Husqvarna, home of the Husqvarna factory, like any sports mad Swede, Granquist dreamed of riding for the factory.

He began racing enduro on a KTM 125cc before trading to a Husky 125cc and competing in the local motocross scene.

After finishing college and completing his stint of compulsory national service, Granquist was ready for a new challenge, with a request coming through from the Australian Husky importer John Harris for a rider to compete in Australian motocross.

With nothing more than high school English and a sense of adventure Granquist arrived in Sydney where he was rewarded twice over -- firstly with the chance to ride in the Australian motocross scene, and secondly, meeting the woman who would one day become his wife.

Granquist then went on to win the 250cc and 500cc Australian Motocross titles in 1978-1979, as well as narrowly missing out on two Mr. Motocross crowns.

However, his dream was always to ride the international GP circuit, so in 1980 Granquist returned to Sweden, with his wife in tow, and rode a Husqvarna in the 500cc world title until 1982.

In 1983 Granquist received an offer from Hans Appelgren, who had taken over as the Australian Husqvarna importer from Harris, to ride motocross in Australian again.

However, with a knee injury plaguing his comeback, he returned to enduro in 1984 aboard a 400cc Husqvarna, and took second overall behind John Hand at the Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) in Mackay (Qld).

In 1984, Granquist also won a gold medal at the Dutch International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) coming fifth in his class.

In 1985, a broken hand in the Spanish ISDE saw him lucky to finish the race.

In 1986, Granquist contested all Australian events and at the Italian ISDE, scored his second gold medal and the final motocross win.

The Granquist family now divides its time between Australia and Sweden.

New Zealand's four-time world road racing champion Hugh Anderson has also confirmed his attendance at the 2010 HBBB, as well as four-time American motocross champion Gary Jones.

While he's in Australia, Jones will also compete in the 2010 national classic motocross title, to be held at the State Motorcycle Complex from April 9-11.

Click on the following link for more information on the 2010 Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza, which is a non-competitive celebration of all motorcycling disciplines.