Exclusive: Kayne Lamont Interview

Switching teams in the off-season and limited time on his all-new bike should count against Kiwi, Kayne Lamont, but apparently not. After crushing the competition with a 1-1-2 performance at the opening round of the 2014 New Zealand Motocross Championship, look for the 20-year-old to try and do the same thing when the series heads to his home-track in Tokoroa on February 23. Transmoto‘s Johnny Bonnar caught up with the current MX2 class points-leader while heading home from the first round held in Timaru over the weekend.

Congratulations on winning the MX2 Overall, mate. What were your goals heading in?

I just wanted to get through every race and get better starts each time. I came in wanting to win. I spent two full-on weeks working on my starts because I knew I had the pace to win if I got off to a decent start.

It wasn’t just your first MX2 Overall captured at the opening round of the 2014 NZ Motocross Championship. It was also your debut on board a Husqvarna. How was that?

It feels good. All the team behind me helped me out so much. It’s a breeze to be able to ride that bike around the track.

In your final year of Junior racing you won in two classes, and you are the 2012 Australian MXD (Under 19s) Champion. How does this one rank up there compared to those achievements?

It’s a really good feeling to be on the top step of the MX2 box. That’s for sure.

Now, I understand KTM basically purchased Husqvarna last year. How did the ride on the Husqvarna Red Bull NZ Racing team come about?

Well, I had no ride back here in New Zealand for 2014, as CMR Red Bull KTM picked a younger development team. This deal popped up, I was searching for a ride, and I went for it.

How hard was it to leave an established brand like KTM for a brand more recognised for making chainsaws?

The bikes are pretty much identical. I love KTMs and the Husqvarna is really similar. I took the chance and I think it has paid off.

How long have you been on the bike?

I have been with the team for about three weeks now. My first testing on the bike took place the weekend before Woodville, where we worked on suspension and everything. I had been training on a KTM 250SX. The bikes were pretty much identical, so we just had to do some fine tuning.

How did you feel going into the Woodville Grand Prix with only a week of full testing on the bike underneath you?

I had no expectations, results-wise. My goal was to get three holeshots and I didn’t get any, so I was a bit pissed off about that. We knew what we had to work on coming into the nationals.

You missed the start of New Zealand’s MX season last year with a broken collarbone. How’s this for a turn around?

It is good. I managed to get in one round (of the NZ Motocross Championship) last year, and my best finish was a fifth or something, so it felt really good to be on the top step.

With a win at Woodville and now claiming the Overall in Timaru, how do you plan on moving forward from here?

I’ll just continue doing the same routine I’ve been following for the last five weeks – strength and moto training. Tokoroa is my home-track and I love the soil. Just to be in my home-town will be really good.

Thanks for your time, Kayne. Good luck with the remaining rounds.

Thanks, mate.

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In the MX1 class, Honda-mounted Cody Cooper took home the Overall, KTM Australia’s Ford Dale and CDR Yamaha’s Billy Mackenzie. Cooper won the opening round of the 2013 New Zealand Motocross Championship on board a Suzuki. Dale’s teammate, Kirk Gibbs, finished in fourth Overall. Altherm JCR Yamaha riders, Scott Columb and Jay Wilson, finished in second and third Overall in the MX2 category, respectively.

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Note: Husqvarna Australia’s Greg Chambers has confirmed that Lamont will contest all Aussie MX Nats rounds this year on board a Husky.