Excitement building for Junior World Championship
A truly international flavour has begun seeping into the town of Taupo, New Zealand, as riders from many countries arrived at the Digger McEwen Motocross Track on Friday morning to complete FIM Technical Control in preparation for this weekend’s 2009 Junior Motocross World Championship.
Australia’s 16 riders all gathered at the track to put the finishing touches on their bikes before completing their noise, weight and other tests which were conducted by the FIM in conjunction with local officials from Motorcycling New Zealand and the Taupo Motorcycle Club.
Motorcycling New Zealand Commissioner Brian Davidson was one of those officials, and he felt extremely proud of the fact that his country are hosting this Championship for the first time it has been held outside of Europe.
“It’s really awesome for our part of the world – you guys as our closest neighbours would know – it’s fantastic to bring the focus down here,” Davidson said.
“I’m really hoping we kick all of the Aussie butts!”
Tasmanian Matt Phillips is one of eight Australian riders competing in the 125cc class at this Championship, and he is certainly enjoying the time being spent with his Australian teammates, as well as the build-up to the coming weekend’s event.
“We’ve walked the track about five times now, the whole team is getting on fantastically, the whole atmosphere is awesome, so everyone’s pumped, keen and excited,” Phillips said.
Phillips is quietly confident of success in Taupo, owing mainly to the amount of preparation and training he has done in the lead up to the Championship.
“On the bike I’ve been doing a whole lot [of preparation], especially for the 35-minute Motos we’re going to be doing over here.
“I’m really keen to do well and I’m going to give it 100%, try and get some holeshots and see what we can do... tomorrow’s Practice and Qualifying will be a good indicator though,” Phillips concluded.
One of Phillips’ teammates, Dale Fear, will be riding in the younger 85cc class, and is incredibly proud to be here at this Championship and given the opportunity to ride for Australia, which he hopes he will do with distinction.
“It feels great,” Fear said, “it’s hard to explain in words but it’s just awesome to represent your country.”
“I’m looking for a top 10 if possible, but hoping to just go out, try and get the holeshot and go for it,” Fear concluded.
The 2009 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship officially begins tomorrow, Saturday 15 August, when riders will get out on the track for Practice and Qualifying sessions ahead of Sunday’s racing.
The weather in Taupo has been cold, windy and rainy for much of the day today, and riders can expect similar conditions tomorrow with the possibility of the rain easing off before Sunday’s finale.
Stay tuned to the Motorcycling Australia website as we continue our comprehensive coverage of the 2009 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship right throughout the weekend – including all of the news, results, photo galleries, interviews and more.
All the action from Taupo can be found at www.ma.org.au/2009worldjuniormx.
