Nelson’s Jackson Walker has only been riding his new Yamaha for two months, but already he’s making a huge impression on his rivals.

The 14-year-old won the junior 85-150cc class at the New Zealand Cross-country Championships last season, then riding an 85cc bike, but this coming season he will be campaigning the larger and much more powerful YZ125 and be up against riders much bigger and stronger than himself.

But, not to be daunted, Jackson rolled his bike to the start line at the big annual Motomuck 90 cross-country race near Taupo earlier this month, actually his first event on the YZ125, and he fought his way onto the podium.

He finished third overall in the gruelling 90-minute race, finishing close behind talented Cambridge rider Ashton Grey (KTM) and Gisborne hit-shot Duncan Summerfield (KTM), both of whom were on 200cc bikes.

“I actually got the holeshot (in the Motomuck 90 race), but then I crashed a few corners later when I hit a soft berm and just lost it.”

He picked himself up in about fifth place and quickly rejoined the race, setting out after the leaders, but then he had another crash at the end of lap one.

“I have never raced this event before, so I was learning as I went” said Walker afterwards.

Walker journeys far and wide to seek out top competition wherever he can find it and that often means he has to include a Cook Strait ferry crossing into his travel schedule.

It paid dividends for him last season with the Nelson rider not only winning the national junior 85-150cc cross-country crown, but also winning in class in the Top-of-the-South Cross-country Championships and the South Island Cross-country Championships as well.

His next major assignment will be to tackle the upcoming 2015 New Zealand Cross-country Championships, set to kick off in February.

“I’ll be up against a few 250cc riders at the nationals but I’ll just be concentrating on doing my own thing,” said Walker.

“I don’t know who my main competition will be … that’s the reason why went travelled up to Taupo to race the Motomuck 90. I know I’ll have to watch out for Ashton Grey and Duncan Summerfield and then there’s another top rider called Jake Wightman too, so I guess that’s who I’ll have to try to beat.

“I have been riding a lot lately with (top senior racers) Ethan Bruce and Sam Milson and I’ve picked up a few tips from them. I’m feeling pretty confident.”

Walker is supported by Talley’s, Russet Engineering, Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles and Yamaha New Zealand.

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

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