It’s a big step-up to move from the support class to race for a New Zealand motocross championship, but Morrinsville’s Beau Yeandle has made it look effortless this season.

The 21-year-old electrician raced his way to overall runner-up in the MX3 non-championship support class at the nationals last season, behind fellow Yamaha rider Tony Cooksley, of Auckland, and this year he decided to step up and race for the 125cc national championship.

After three of four rounds thus far, Yeandle is fourth overall, sandwiched between fellow Yamaha stars Logan Blackburn, of Te Puke, who is currently ranked third on the championship table, and Ryan Metz, of Tauranga, who holds down fifth spot.

CMR Red Bull KTM team-mates Josiah Natzke, of Hamilton, and Hadleigh Knight, of Atiamuri, are first and second respectively after three rounds.

“I only raced three of the four rounds in the MX3 class last year, and on a YZ125 against a lot of bigger bikes (in the all-capacities support grade), so it was pretty good to end up second in that,” said Yeandle.

“Then about halfway through last year, me and Ryan (Metz) decided to jump up to the 125cc class.

“I have had a bit of luck on my side this season, with a few of the top riders crashing out, but really I was only imagining that I might be among the top 10 or so. Now I’m among the top five, so that’s better than I thought I’d go.”

He heads to the fourth and final round at Taupo this Saturday with high hopes of pushing for a podium finish.

“I have been getting a bit of pressure from my mates at work to step it up this weekend,” said Yeandle.

“My best race result so far is a seventh placing. I feel I really need to crack the top five.

“I think I’m going better than last year because I have knuckled down to get a bit fitter. I have been spending a lot more time on the bike, mostly riding with my mate Ryan (Metz), and that has really helped.”

Yeandle said he was considering taking another step up next year when he will possibly contest the MX2 (250cc) class.

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

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