LAMONT WINS AGAIN | Bikesportnz

New Zealand’s Kayne Lamont is going from strength to strength.

Lamont won the two main classes at the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championship near Blenheim in April, then immediately afterwards boarded an international flight.

The 17-year-old from Mangakino, in the Central North Island, headed off to Europe to follow in the wheels-tracks of men such as Motueka’s Josh Coppins and Tauranga’s Ben Townley.

His aim has been to “live the dream” as he seeks out motocross fame and fortune in the European hotbed of the sport.

Now based in England, the Suzuki GB rider (who is sponsored by Mount Maunganui’s MotoGB in New Zealand) has been flitting to and fro across the English Channel to tackle several rounds of the European 125cc championships (EMX125).

He scored solid points at the latest round of that series in Sweden, finishing 11th and 15th, placing him 14th overall for the day.

The confidence boost from that outstanding result propelled the Kiwi to a new level and, just one week later, he put himself on the top step of the podium, this time at round six of the Red Bull British 125cc Championships at the Howton Court circuit in Pontrilas, south Herefordshire, close to the Welsh border.

He was again in action in England on Saturday and Sunday, this time challenging the elite of the MXY2 class at round five of the British Motocross Championships at Foxhills, in Swindon.

Making his debut in the MXY2 class, Lamont stormed to the top of the qualifying rankings, humbling current championship leader Connor Walkley (Team Green Kawasaki) and other British stars Tom Kelly (DB Racing Honda), Matt Bayliss (Wooldridge Honda) and Matt Burrows (Rob Hooper Suzuki).

For racing proper, Lamont took his RM125 to the front of the pack, eventually winning the race ahead of Walkley and that really set the tongues wagging.

“The commentator said it was the first time in his memory that a 125cc two-stroke had won a race in this class – the racing here open to 125cc two-strokes and 250cc four-stroke bikes,” said Lamont’s father, Stuart.

“He said that hadn’t been done since (French world champion) Sebastien Tortelli had done that about 15 years ago.”

Lamont had a more difficult second race and had to settle for runner-up spot, behind Walkley, meaning the young New Zealander had to settle for overall runner-up on the day because of the count-back rule – with the highest-placed rider in the last race getting the nod.

“Kayne is feeling really comfortable with the Suzuki and we now head back to Belgium tomorrow before heading across to the Czech Republic to tackle round six of the EMX125 Championships on August 8.”

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