(HAMILTON, Ont. CANADA) Steven Nickerson is excited to announce that he will compete in the Harley-Davidson® XR 1200TM Cup Series as part of the Canadian Superbike Championship by Parts Canada this season. Primary sponsorship will be through one of Canada’s premier Harley-Davidson® dealerships, Freedom Harley-Davidson® of Ottawa. Nickerson is no stranger to the legendary Harley-Davidson® brand and machinery. At the age of seven the Hamilton, Ont. racer began his racing career flat tracking and racing the Harley-Davidson® XR 1200 will be a homecoming of sorts. “Ever since I was a kid racing flat track, I always aspired to race the XR 750, so this is a perfect fit for me. I am thrilled to be racing the XR 1200 since it is similar in design and based on the XR 750 flat track motorcycle.” said Nickerson. “This is the first year for the Harley-Davidson® XR 1200TM Cup Series in Canada. Since this is a spec class it makes for an even playing field for all riders and this is where skill becomes the advantage. I know that Freedom Harley-Davidson® of Ottawa is going to put me on a winning machine.” The 16-year-old Nickerson was one of the stars of the Amateur Sport Bike class in the Canadian national series last season. In his rookie campaign in the class he placed third in the final standings. To top-off an already great season Nickerson was also invited to try out for the Moto GP Red Bull Rookies Cup in Spain. He was the sole Canadian invited to the test, which brought together just over 100 riders from around the world. “We are so excited to have Steven racing on behalf of Freedom Harley-Davidson® of Ottawa. The store is full of new beginnings and this is an amazing journey we are going on with Steven and the Harley-Davidson® XR 1200TM Cup Series.” said Rosalie McLean, General Manager of Freedom Harley-Davidson® of Ottawa. “His energy, enthusiasm and love of racing are infectious and he will be an incredible asset to our team and the dealership. We look forward to having him a part of the Harley-Davidson® family and believe he will go far with this bike.” Secondary sponsorship of Nickerson’s 2011 racing program will be from Lean Angle Canada with their full range of niche powersport products. “Steven has been a part of our supported riders program from the beginning and we are proud to have him outfitted in all of our products again this year,” said Steve Reed, President of Lean Angle Canada. “Steven will be using TechSpec Gripsters on his new XR 1200, wearing a Medical Data Information Carrier (MICS) on his Zox helmet and wearing RaceLine Custom Racing Leathers.” “Steve Reed has been there for us for a long time and this year wouldn’t have come together for me if it wasn’t for him.” stated Nickerson. Nickerson will be assisted by Freedom Harley-Davidson® of Ottawa’s mechanic Jason Williams and long time crew member Bryan Cranston. The team will begin testing over the next few weeks to prepare for the first national May 27-29 at Circuit ICAR near Montreal. Additional support comes from Inside Motorcycles magazine, RaceLine Custom Racing Leathers, TechSpec Gripster Tank Grips, Medical Information Carrier System (MICS), Elka Suspension, Motovan, Zox Helmets, Motion Pro, MotoConcepts, Taylor Steel, Ultimate Cycle, Bullivant and Associates, Performance Under Gear, Impact Racing Components, Bozack Clothing, The Attic Pizza Parlor and Sports Bar and Stitch It Clothing Alterations.