Warkworth’s Hamish Dobbyn has celebrated the debut of World Championship motocross racing in New Zealand by finishing third in the 125cc class at the weekend’s RoadCraft Junior Motocross World Championship in Taupo.

Dobbyn (Kawasaki) is the first Kiwi ever to finish on the podium and his sensational result combined with 13-year-old Otago girl Courtney Duncan‘s sixth overall in the 85cc class to take New Zealand to the third place in the ‘Nations Trophy’ classification.

The result by Yamaha’s Duncan was the best ever by a female in Junior Motocross World Championship racing and she demonstrated her outstanding riding ability by finishing fourth in the second race.

United States rider Eli Tomac (Honda) won the 125cc class ahead of Australia’s Tye Simmonds (KTM) while in the 85cc class for 12-14-year-old riders Jay Wilson (KTM) won Australia’s first ever motocross world championship ahead of Italy’s Samuele Bernadini (KTM). Third in the 85cc class was another Australian, Dylan Long (KTM).

Rain throughout the weekend didn’t deter crowds of over 10,000 who enjoyed thrilling racing in what was the first time the Junior Motocross World Championship event has left European shores.

‘The mission of the Taupo Motorcycle Club is to provide opportunities for junior riders to compete at the highest level possible and today epitomised this,” said Club President Geoff Hall – the Club was granted hosting rights on the back of successful international events in 2006 and 2008.

“Events like this would be possible without the hard work of many volunteers and, of course, our sponsors, who do an amazing job,” said Hall.

Photos by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Full story and more photos in your next issue of KIWI RIDER magazine.

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