It’s a fresh competition, in a different country, with new rivals, but it is business as usual to just-crowned New Zealand MX2 champion Kayne Lamont.

The Husqvarna rider from the South Waikato is on top of the pile in Australia after the first round of 10 in the Monster Energy Australian Motocross Championship at Broadford, near Melbourne, at the weekend.

The Husqvarna Red Bull WIL Sport NZ Racing Team rider had a cracking day in perfect conditions at Broadford, taking the MX2 class round win ahead of KTM duo Brendan Harrison, of Australia, and Hamish Harwood, from Takaka, near Nelson.

Despite early rain at the State Motorcycle Sports Complex in Victoria, the sun shone in the afternoon – matched by an equally bright performance by Lamont.

Lamont, supported by BikesportNZ.com, managed 1-2-1 from his three outings to claim a comfortable overall win on the day and stake his claim as a rider to watch in the MX2 class in 2014.

While the result might have surprised a few of the Australian commentators – and it shouldn’t have after the young Kiwis recent performances at home against world class opposition – it didn’t surprised the man himself.

“I wasn’t surprised to win,” said Lamont matter-of-factly. “I was planning on being among the top two or three at least.

“The track was quite hilly and they had put mulch down on the dirt so, when it rained, it got quite slippery.

“It obviously didn’t suit all the riders, but I adjusted pretty quickly.

“I think I quietened a few critics,” he said.

In the opening race of the day, a big bunching of riders at the first corner saw Luke Clout (Serco Yamaha) take the holeshot and stream into a comfortable early race lead from Lamont, Errol Willis (Axis Motorsports), Daniel McCoy (TM Racing) and KTM privateer Wade Hunter.

The top-five remained almost unchanged for most of the 20-minute race, except for a dramatic finish in the tussle for first between Clout and Lamont.

With two laps remaining, Clouts’ gears failed him – and he finished the final two laps unable to move out of first gear.

It allowed Lamont to stream past him to take the opening race honours – while Clout pulled through to manage second in the race ahead of Willis.

In the second moto of the day, Harrison got a great start to take the holeshot ahead of Lamont and despite a solid attempt by the latter to reign in the KTM rider, it was to no avail and he had to settle for second place.

Kale Makeham (Tunetech Racing KTM Australia), Hunter and Harwood rounded out the top-five in the second moto.

While the first two races saw little change at the front of the field throughout the race, the third and final moto was packed full of action.

It was a moto that saw some of the overall round-challengers suffer setbacks.

Makeham was third overall coming into the final moto but could only manage 29th, Willis, who was equal fifth overall coming into the final moto, did not finish due to a mechanical issue, while a similar fate awaited McCoy who was seventh coming into the last race.

It was dramatic from the first corner – where some major bunching saw many riders in the field come down – including Makeham, leaving him at the tail of the field for most of the race.

It was Lamont who had built a handy lead by the end of the opening lap, ahead of Harwood, Willis, Clout, McCoy and Luke Arbon – a lead that Lamont never surrendered.

Harwood managed to hang onto second in the final race finishing in third overall for the round, while Willis’ mechanical glitch saw Clout move into third place which he held to the finish.

A fantastic ride from Yamaha Queensland rider Nick Scott saw him take fourth in the race – his 11th, seventh and fourth placings for the day enough to take fifth overall for the round ahead of Clout.

Home now to rest and recover – he underwent surgery to remove his appendix just over a week earlier – Lamont said he plans on training at the tracks near his Mangakino home before heading back for round two in less than two weeks’ time.

“I was heavily strapped up but I still had huge stomach cramps at the weekend,” said Lamont.

“I believe I will be 100 percent again before round two.”

And that should sound a few warning bells for his rivals – if he can dominate at less than 100 percent, imagine what could happen when he’s fully fit?

“I want to thank Jeff Leisk in Australia and Patrick Stafford in New Zealand for all their support and also Husqvarna, Red Bull, WIL Sport, Philip Parry Contracting, BikesportNZ.com, Workshop Graphics, Motorex, Suspension Tech, Karl Mason Builders, Advance Physiotherapy and Kinetic Planning.”

Round Results:

MX2 CLASS:

1) Kayne Lamont 102 (35, 32, 35)
2) Brenden Harrison 82 (21, 35, 26)
3) Hamish Harwood 81 (23, 26, 32)
4) Luke Clout 81 (32, 19, 30)
5) Nick Scott 72 (20, 24, 28)
6) Wade Hunter 69 (26, 28, 15)
7) Ryan Marmont 63 (22, 23, 18)
8) Kale Makeham 57 (25, 30, 2)
9) Caleb Ward 55 (17, 25, 13)
10) Errol Willis 51 (30, 21, DNF)

For a full list of class results, go HERE

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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