Kiwis rank with world’s best
Young riders are flying high after the world champs
New Zealand now has five young motocross racers who rank among the top 20 in the world, with Oparau’s James Scott the best of the bunch, now the junior 125cc world No. 7.
The 16-year-old was the bestperformed of the Kiwi contingent at the 2018 edition of the FIM Junior Motocross World Championships, held at Horsham, in Australia, just over a week ago.
He qualified 11th fastest in the premier 125cc class on the Saturday and then lined up the following day alongside the cream of the motocross world — the best in Australia and fellow Kiwis, as well as top riders from the US, Japan, South Africa, Spain, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, the UK, Slovakia, Sweden and Italy.
But then life got truly difficult for the young KTM rider as he had a shocking start in the first of his two championship races.
From 30th position, nearly last, as the bikes exited turn one, Scott went on the charge, powering through to 22nd by the end of the first lap. He continued to work forward and claimed seventh at the finish line.
He also crossed the finish line seventh in race two, after a thrilling battle with French European 125cc Championship (EMX125) leader Thibaut Benistant, and those combined results gave Scott the world ranking of seven.
“That terrible start in the first race was my own fault. I just didn’t commit and shut off the throttle too soon down the start straight and everyone went by me,” Scott said.
“Benistant only passed me right at the end of both races actually, which I think was pretty good from me, because it showed I was able to run at his pace. When I go back to Europe I can hopefully match him again like I did this weekend.”
Scott now heads to Assen, in the Netherlands, to race at the final round of the EMX125 series and he hopes “to finish there in the top five”.
Tauranga’s Brodie Connolly was equally impressive at Horsham.
The 14-year-old was one of the youngest 125cc class riders at the event was the next best of the Kiwis in the 125cc class, at 13th overall.
“I wasn’t really expecting to finish up so high in the world,” he said.
“I have learned heaps from this weekend and will take that away with me.”
Taihape’s Hayden Smith was 14th overall and Rongotea’s Zac Jilling 31st overall in the 34-rider 125cc field.
In the 85cc class, best of the Kiwis was Rangiora’s Cobie Bourke (KTM 85SX), who finished 12th overall.
Rongotea’s Rhys Jillings claimed 28th overall and Darfield’s Tyler Wiremu finished 31st in the 39-rider 85cc class that lined up at Horsham.
Best of the Kiwis in the 65cc class was Waitoki’s Cole Davies (15th overall), with Nelson’s William Harvey finishing 32nd, Cambridge’s Harrison Findlay ending up 34th and Palmerston North’s Lachie Barr 35th.