Team Suzuki has fresh power, drive and determination to win and that’s exactly what the yellow brand has planned for the upcoming national motocross championships season.

“Team Suzuki has some great news — we now have a firm team in place and an elite naming sponsor for this season. We are ‘Team Power Balance Suzuki’, said team manager Andrew Hardisty, of Mount Maunganui.

“Power Balance wrist bands are the world-wide phenomenon that so many people are wearing and reporting great benefit from – from athletes to the general public.

“I feel more flexible, powerful and with better balance among so many other benefits. I personally wear one and they are amazing,” said Hardisty, himself a former national motocross and supercross champion.

“Power Balance has come on board which is fantastic as both companies have the highest market share, so the synergy is excellent.”

At the same time as announcing the exciting new naming rights sponsor, Hardisty was keen to reveal the strong rider line-up for the new season.

“Our riders this season will be Mount Maunganui’s Cody Cooper (MX1, Suzuki RM-Z450), Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont (MX2, Suzuki RM-Z250) and Wanganui’s Tom Managh (National 125, Suzuki RM125).

“Suzuki has high hopes for its team this season. Cooper is a firm favourite to win the MX1 class.”

Cooper excelled across the Tasman this season, proving himself a contender for the open class crown in Australia as he battled at the front alongside the elite Australian internationals, as well as former GP star Billy Mackenzie, from Scotland, and British champion Brad Anderson.

“Young Lamont recently experienced strong success in Europe, as well as winning national championship races in Britain. Then we throw phenomenal teenager Managh into the mix, with something to prove in his first year at senior level, and we have a very dynamic, exciting team.”

For Lamont it will be in his first year in senior competition (MX2 class), after he convincingly won both the elite New Zealand junior titles last season, and Managh is also moving up from the junior to senior ranks where he will race in the National 125cc class.

“This is the first time that we have been involved with motocross in New Zealand and we are extremely excited about being part of such a strong and vibrant team,” said Power Balance New Zealand manager Tom Griffiths.

“Motocross is an exciting and popular sport that is experiencing massive growth. It is a sport that has mass appeal to all demographics. There is really nothing else that gives both the participant and the audience the adrenaline rush that this sport delivers.”

The team will have its first outing in its new colours at the Taupo Motocross Extravaganza over Labour Weekend.

Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com