We had a brief catch-up with British motocross ace Rob Holyoake last week and we spilled the beans on his plans to race again in New Zealand this summer.

He intends to race all four rounds of the New Zealand Motocross Championships in 2015, although that again depends upon whether he gets a call-up to head back to the UK early to prepare for the British Champs.

Today we bring you part two of that interview:

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to New Zealand,” he said.

“Two of the tracks I raced last year are on the list again for 2015 (Timaru and Pukekohe), so I will be used to them and know the ground and layout, but maybe the other two will be different. However, I feel I will be able to adapt well.

“I’m not sure what to expect in terms of results. The MX2 class will be a strong class. As long as I know I’ve given 100% and I’m improving my skills and fitness, that is good. It would be great to pull some strong results out of the bag though.

“I regret breaking my wrist two weeks before I came out last year but, apart from that I had no regrets about my last visit. My fondest memories are riding and training with Kayne (Lamont) and, racing wise, Tokoroa where I got fourth overall.

“The banter that was flung around under the awning was brilliant as well, but I was normally the butt of the jokes. I learned how to get a bike set up on my own and I learned loads about training and diet for racing. 

“I’m bringing some parts over this year that I use in England, so my bike will feel the same as it does over here. That way I can jump straight on and it will feel familiar.

“With the different tracks on the 2015 calendar, I will see some different parts of the country, which I look forward to. I hope to visit the luge at Rotorua again because I have some payback for Kayne.”

Holyoake’s friends and supporters in England are left in no doubt that a trip to New Zealand is worthwhile.

“I tell them we’re all stupid for living in England! I tell them about much people are willing to help you out and how well the series is run. If I get the opportunity to come over I will continue to come back, trying to get people to come out is difficult because they miss their testing in England plus it’s a very long flight. I’m sure if they came over, though, they would love it. We run a family business, so leaving that for two months would be hard for my family also.

“I got introduced to pineapple lumps and pita pit when I was in New Zealand last season. I wanted to do some fishing last time too, but we ran out of time.”

If Holyoake can tear himself away from the race tracks and practice tracks during his brief stay this summer, perhaps a little fishing excursion would cap off what he hopes will also be an exciting motocross tour.

NZ MX Champs dates:

The dates and venues for the 2015 Backflips Clothing New Zealand Motocross Championships are as follows:

Round One: February 8, 2015, Taranaki

Round Two: February 22, 2015, Timaru

Round Three: March 8, 2015, Rotorua

Round Four: March 15, 2015, Pukekohe

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

Find BikesportNZ.com on FACEBOOK here