COLUMB ON TRACK | Bikesportnz

Queenstown’s Scott Columb is certainly on the right track towards grabbing another national motocross crown.

Following his major trophy win at the King of the Mountain motocross in Taranaki last week, the Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team hero was again on the podium just seven days later, this time at Sunday’s 54th annual New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville.

That the former national MX2 champion could even perform at this top level in the MX1 class was remarkable in itself after Columb had crashed heavily during a training session mid-week.

“I was a bit sore today after my crash earlier in the week, but I managed to battle on,” said the 31-year-old, who fought his way to third overall in the MX1 class and also finished third in the all-capacities feature race at Woodville.

“My day didn’t start well,” he explained. “I was 15th at the start of the first MX1 race, but charged through to finish third. I finished fourth in the next MX1 race and probably should have finished second, except that I had my goggles filled in on lap three and I simply couldn’t see where I was going.

“In the third and final MX1 race I started inside the top 10 and quickly got up to fourth. I just settled for that in the end because the track was getting quite rough. I was just pleased to ride safe and put a few points in the bank. I think I’m heading in the right direction with my preparation for the nationals.”

The four-round New Zealand Motocross Championships are set to kick off in Taranaki in less than two weeks’ time.

Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team boss Josh Coppins, of Motueka, was pleased with the performance of all his riders at Woodville.

“It was a good steady day for Scotty (Columb) and our Australian riders too, Jacob Wright and Jay Wilson,” said Coppins.

“I think the track conditions might have been a bit of a shock for the Aussie boys, but they will be a lot more competitive when the nationals begin. There are lots of positives to be taken out of this weekend and I think we will see a lot of improvements over the next couple of weeks.”

The Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing team is supported by Altherm Window Systems, Yamaha, JCR, CRC, Ados, GYTR, Yamalube, Fox Racing, Hollands Collision Centre, Star Moving, Ward Demolition, Fulton Hogan, Pirelli, FMF, DID, NGK, Matrix, Renthal, Motomuck, Workshop Graphics, Motoseat, Hammerhead, SKF, Vertex Pistons, Rtech Plastics, Etnies, Biketranz and Fulton Hogan.

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