Winning the Motocross of Nations may not be a realistic aim for Team New Zealand this season, but it won’t be for lack of trying.

With injuries striking down many of New Zealand’s leading candidates, sending a development squad seemed the only answer.

When Ben Townley, Josh Coppins, Brad Groombridge and national 125cc champion Ethan Martens went onto the injury list, New Zealand was backed into a corner.

The development squad to represent New Zealand and head to St Jean d’Angely in France this season will be Auckland’s Joel Doeksen (MX1), Otane’s Kieran Scheele (Open Class) and Rotorua’s John Phillips (MX2), with Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont as the reserve rider.

Of course BikesportNZ.com will have some of its own staff on hand to shout support and record the occasion.

© Photos by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com