NZ Insider No.68: Summer Motocross
Transmoto’s weekly web-exclusive column, the NZ Insider, penned by Chris Ritchie.
While we are still coming down to earth from our epic weekend in France at the Motocross of Nations, the focus now shifts to our domestic summer season, and the upcoming MX Fest at Taupo – still one of the biggest moto events in the country year after year, which is now less than three weeks away.
Taupo’s MX Fest marks the unofficial beginning of the Kiwi motocross season, followed by a variety of events scheduled over the summer months, culminating in the all-important NZ Motocross Nationals over February and March 2016. There have been a number of rider movements over the winter so let’s take a look at how the manufacturer-supported teams are shaping up for the impending 2015-2016 season.
The Workshop Graphics Husqvarna Racing team has risen another level since its inception in 2014, and features a new rider in MX1 in the form of Rotorua’s Scotty Canham, switching from Kawasaki. MX2 rider, Hadleigh Knight, is back again, and ready to challenge for the national title after proving his worth last time around. The team is also represented in the National 125cc class with Kurtis Lilly determined to make a statement.
Honda Shop Racing field a mostly unchanged line-up, with three-time defending MX1 champ Cody Cooper heading the team, supported by Aaron Wiltshier in MX2, and the addition of Logan Blackburn who moves from Suzuki.
Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing features prominent Aussie MXGP rider, Dean Ferris, in MX1 looking to challenge Coops for his MX1 title, and Kayne Lamont in MX2. Lamont is looking forward to working closely with Josh Coppins with the goal of repeating his 2014 MX2 Championship glory. Satellite rider, Ethan Martens, has stepped back down to the trusty YZ250 two-stroke and will surely be at the sharp end of the MX2 class.
The MC2 Suzuki Racing Team, backed by Suzuki New Zealand, features incumbent MX1 rider Brad Groombridge who will be joined by Joaquin Fernandez – an experienced Argentinian international eager to mix it up with the Kiwi boys.
The newly formed 3 Twenty 3 Suzuki Racing team will field a two-rider line-up with Jayden Turnwald moving to MX2, and Rhys Carter yet to decide which class he will ride.
The CMR KTM team will no longer feature in the Kiwi motocross paddock, with KTM NZ support now managed on an individual rider basis. Hamish Harwood will retain his KTM support, with international star Josiah Natzke also representing the brand in select events this summer as part of his preparations for a return to Europe early in 2016.
Kawasaki’s line-up is yet to be confirmed.
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