Waitakere’s Ethan Martens made it two national MX2 class titles in a row when he won the category at last year’s New Zealand TT Championships near Turangi.

This year he plans on making it a nice, clean hat-trick of wins. But, more than that, the Yamaha ace is also looking to clinch the MX1 title as well.

He heads to Kuratau, near the southern tip of Lake Taupo to tackle the two-day Bike Torque Yamaha New Zealand TT Championships in a confident mood.

Martens raced his YZ450F Yamaha at the big annual Tarawera 100 cross-country endurance race near Whakatane last weekend – finishing a creditable fifth overall on debut in the MX1 class – and he will take the same bike, along with his Yamaha YZ250F MX2 class bike, to Kuratau for the flat-track event this Saturday and Sunday.

“I finished third overall in the MX1 class last year, behind (Tauranga’s) Ben Townley and (Taupo’s) Brad Groombridge and I figure I have a good chance of finishing No.1 on the big bike this time around.

“I say this because I have made some really good progress with my riding on the YZ450F in recent months, thanks to all the coaching I’ve been getting from my Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team boss Josh Coppins.

“I had good speed in the MX1 class last year, so I’ll definitely be a contender, but Josh has taught me a lot since then. Josh is the best trainer you could have. It’s all about learning the right way to ride a 450cc bike, without using up too much energy. A 450cc bike can be a beast to ride if you’re not careful.”

Ironically, if Martens is foiled in his attempt to win the MX1 class this weekend, it will most likely be Coppins who will be to blame.

Former motocross Grand Prix star Coppins, from Motueka, is also making a rare race appearance. He retired from full-time, top-grade racing in 2012 but still enjoys the occasional outing and this weekend’s high-speed action will definitely suit the former world No.2

“Josh has drummed a lot of bad habits out of me and, if I don’t win this weekend, at least I’ll learn some more from Josh by following him on the track.”

The Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing team is supported by Yamaha Motor New Zealand, CRC, Fox, Holland’s Collision Centre, Star Moving, GYTR, Yamalube, Pro Circuit, Alpinestars, Matrix, DID, NGK, Renthal, Pirelli, Etnies, Workshop Graphics, POD, Atlas, Motomuck, Uni, Giltrap Prestige, Hinson, Rtechplastics, Vertex Pistons, SKF and Biketranz.

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

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