Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont is raring to go hard again at round three of Australia’s Monster Energy MX Nationals at Wonthaggi this coming weekend.

The New Zealand MX2 champion has already banished from his memory banks the shocker he experienced at round two at Appin just over a week ago, an event where he’d hoped to build upon the brilliance he’d so convincingly delivered at round one.

The Husqvarna Red Bull WIL Sport BikesportNZ.com rider arrived at Appin with a solid points lead in the MX2 class after dominating the action at Broadford’s opener, but an uncharacteristic crash in race one at Appin drove him head-first into the dirt and, groggy and in pain, he struggled to fight back.

“I had a shocker (at Appin),” said Lamont.

“In race one I got the holeshot, and Luke Clout passed me. Then, about 10 minutes into the race, I had a big spill off the ski jump and landed in the soft stuff and swapped off and face-planted and took a big whack to the head, my shoulder and leg.

“I wasn’t healthy enough to finish off the moto so I went back to the pits. I wasn’t very well between races, I had my appendix out not so long ago, and it upset that little bit too,” he explained.

“I wasn’t the healthiest creature. I had a few Panadols which stopped it a little so I could get out and ride. I think I was in fourth place most of the race and then had a crash about halfway through, so the focus levels probably weren’t up to scratch. I went back to tenth, but made my way back to sixth, and was completely blown out.

“I took my helmet off and spewed; I was not too well that’s for sure, so I was pretty stoked that I could collect some points for the day. It’s time for a healthy one I think!”

Lamont ended the day down in 17th place overall at Appin and has therefore slipped from the No.1 position in the championship standings to No.4 – with Clout the new championship leader – although there are just 19 points to separate the top four in this class.

Meanwhile, local man Jed Beaton is looking forward to heading back to familiar territory at Wonthaggi.

Born in Tasmania, Beaton moved to Wonthaggi when he was 12 years old and has spent the past five years (he turned 17 in March) riding at the local club.

While he moved to Churchill three months ago, Beaton is very much looking forward to returning to his ‘home club’ when round three makes its way back to Victoria.

“I can’t wait – it should be great,” said Beaton, who competes in the MX Development (Under-19) class.

“There will be a few of my mates there so to have the local support and get a few people there to cheer me on will be great.

“I hope the track is in good condition, and it will be great to be back riding on the track.

“I used to ride every practice day at the club and be part of every event there so there definitely will be an advantage for me.”

Beaton dominated the opening round of the series taking outright honours at Broadford.

He finished third overall on the day in this class at Appin, but still leads the class, albeit by just one points from Egan Mastin.

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

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