09 World Junior Motocross Champs Training Starts

Training Started For 2009 World Junior Motocross Champs

The 2009 FIM World Junior Motocross Championships are set for August next year in Taupo.

New Zealand will have 30 riders accepted for qualifying so Motorcycling NZ (MNZ) called for applications to be considered. It was, not surprisingly, over subscribed and two squads were selected. An Elite Squad of 33 and a Development Squad of 33. One girl deservedly made selection - Courtney Duncan from Southland.

The first training camp took place in Hamilton for the Elite Squad on the July 18-19. They assembled on Thursday and in the evening MNZ CEO, Paul Pavletich welcomed them, outlined the program and plans for the next 13 months and told them what was expected of them.

Also present was the team leading this very important initiative. Bryan Davidson, the MNZ Junior Motocross Commissioner. Darryll King is the head coach, assisted by Michael Cotter, Damien King and Antony Sproull.

Antony Sproull hails from Christchurch and is one of NZ's most accredited coaches. A rider of considerable ability he is the son of Hank Sproull who was a top rider in the 70's along with names like Burt Calder, Ross Horsborough and Gary Goodfellow. Antony is soon to attend the Australian Institute of Sport.

The World Junior Elite Squad is:

85cc:

• Logan Blackburn

• Courtney Duncan

• Campbell King

• Hadleigh Knight

• Micah McGoldrick

• Callum Moore

• Cody Murphy

• Brandon Tipene

• Cameron Vaughan

• Haki Waller

• Kurt Langford

• Matthew Spedding Jessop

• Blake Hardman

• Dane Russell

125cc/250cc:

• Scott Barr-Smith

• Nathan Clare

• Cameron Dillon

• Ben Dowman

• Jared Guthrie

• Matt Hunt

• Kayne Lamont

• Henry Madams

• Tom Managh

• Ethan Martens

• Michael McCarthy

• Isaiah McGoldrick

• John Phillips

• Craig Smith

• Michael Litt

• Samuel O'Callaghan

• Kieran Scheele

• Caleb Rapley

• Joshua Jack

Several could not attend for varying reasons. Matt Hunt was over at Newry, Victoria for the Australian Under 19's. Ethan Martens was there watching. He has a popped rib and a cracked one which he did at training before his 3rd in the 250 Class at the Supercross and Gravity Games. Michael Litt was not there, he broke his collarbone at the Games but did attend day one. Isaiah McGoldrick from Rangiora's (north of Christchurch) was also there supporting younger brother Micah. Isaiah is on crutches after cracking his pelvis and has a few weeks to go before being back on the bike.

On the Friday morning fitness Guru Ian Waites carried out testing and put them through a circuit. Waites had them spellbound with his positivity and intensity. He had thirty differing exercises especially designed for motocross riders, one minute for each, a ten second rest then on to the next station. They wore heart monitors whilst they worked out. Suffice to say he was able to test their current limits.

After lunch Physio Tania Kahika spoke to them about flexibility and what the muscles do and why they need to be looked after. Dr Clare Fisher spoke about drugs and restricted medicines in sport. That was followed by one on one interviews where they were asked how they started in motocross, what they wanted out of it and where they thought it would take them. A group discussion followed then the day finished with a swimming session.

Saturday was to be on the bikes at the Pirongia Motocross track on the Henderson's farm which is about 25 minutes from Hamilton. This is the track where the King brothers have spent many, many hours training. However the weather got in the way with heavy rain so they shifted across the road to a maize paddock where Vet and 4 Stroke Nationals have been held.

The rain squalls kept coming through and the resultant mud had bikes overheating and several 'expired'. All bike brands were well represented except for Kawasaki - Mike Cotter's was the only green machine there ! I never did find out where KX rider Haki Waller was.

In a moto Michael McCarthy had been over the bars and was nursing a sore shoulder.

Break for lunch and then a debrief. DK was asking the question "what did you learn?" Kayne Lamont was first "stay on the bike !" he replied. He was referring to a first turn crash where several went down. Problems with the ruts was a common answer. The other coaches said there was inconsistency with speed and ruts.

They also pointed out the positives such as standing as soon as out of the corner and looking ahead. Craig Smith was complimented on that.

Another heavy downpour and they adjourned to a tent. They talked about goggles. DK made the point that it is fatal to take your goggles off - only do so as a last resort. Some of the riders brought only one pair of pull throughs. They were told they should have one pair for practice and a pair for racing. The merits of anti fog lens was discussed and the use of perforated pull throughs. Damien said one 'trick' he learnt was to have a tear off over his pull throughs.

They then addressed practice and look laps. They were told "avoid the roost at all costs, stay away from the sweep rider. There is no problem being last one out - but don't get lapped and lose a lap's practice. Don't rush into doing that big jump on the first lap. Take a couple of look laps before going for it." All good advice and they were all listening intently.

In the meantime the mums and dads were trekking back and forth to the cattle troughs keeping the waterblasters going.

More rain so back to the ruts. The 250's were certainly digging deep. Craig Smith was stuck under his bike in a deep rut and he retired with a very sore left leg. It was absolutely 'persisting' down but DK was still down there with the last six left standing. The photos do not do the end of that day justice, for it was very dark. The day was done so they all assembled once the rain stopped.

DK started off: "We will all meet in Taupo in September - work on your fitness because nobody impressed us !!!! - learn from your mistakes - turn the negatives into positives"

Antony Sproull: "Aggression - better lines - higher gears"

Damien King: "Lots of determination - improve, improve"

Mike Cotter: "Good to be a part of it - work hard towards 2009 - work on the mental side - affirmations"

Ian Waite: "lots of focus and determination - overseas, these personal trainers and sports 'Psychologists' come at $100,000 a pop but we have it all here as part of your training - worth thinking about !"

ENDS

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