Winning Debut for New KTM Riders

Winning Debut for New KTM Riders

NOVEMBER 18, 2013: Two riders, both of them starting down fresh career paths with the exciting CMR Red Bull KTM motocross team, each enjoyed winning debuts at the weekend.

Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis celebrated his first outing for his new team at the big annual Auckland Motocross Championships at Tuakau by scoring a hat-trick of wins in the junior 13-16 years’ 85cc class on Saturday, each time finishing ahead of major rival Trent Collins, of Cambridge.

It was certainly something to bring a smile to the face of CMR Red Bull KTM team manager Cannon Smith.

“I couldn’t be much happier,” said Smith. “In all, KTM riders won six out of seven classes in the junior grades.”

In addition to Purvis’ show of dominance on debut, Christchurch’s Dylan Walsh took his KTM125 to score a hat-trick of wins to claim the 15-16 years’ 125cc class; recent CMR Red Bull KTM team signing Josiah Natzke, of Hamilton, also scored a hat-trick, dominating the 12-14 years’ 125cc division; Australian visitor Tyler Darby (KTM) won the 11-12 years’ 85cc class; Kumeu’s Ryan Webley (KTM) won the 8-10 years’ 85cc class and Otorohanga’s Carlin Hedley (KTM) won the 8-11 years’ 65cc division.

Then, to add icing to the cake, another new CMR Red Bull KTM team signing, Matakohe’s Hamish Dobbyn joining the team only last week, stunned the motocross community by winning the senior MX2 class the following day, beating former world No.2 and multi-time former national champion Darryll King, of Hamilton, and Queenstown’s current national MX2 champion Scott Columb in the process.

“It was a couple of sensational days for the CMR Red Bull KTM team,” said Smith. “Dylan Walsh and Hadleigh Knight (of Atiamuri) also did well on Sunday, these two guys finishing second and third overall in the senior 125cc class (behind Te Puke’s Logan Blackburn).”

Dobbyn perhaps surprised even himself with his MX2 class stunner on Sunday.

“I’m pretty happy with that because I’m still not 100 percent fit,” said the 21-year-old Dobbyn afterwards.

“I’m starting this week with Jade Thompson, of Target MX Coaching, and that will certainly help me to get my fitness level up.

“I haven’t been racing a lot lately. I was away in the United States for two years and not riding much over there. Before that I had to have three or four knee reconstruction operations, so it has been a long time between drinks for me.

“It was a great way to make my debut for the team. I’m really grateful that this team has given me the opportunity.”

Dobbyn and the other CMR Red Bull KTM riders now prepare to tackle the big annual Whakatane Summercross just after Christmas, before heading down to the Manawatu to race the big annual New Zealand Motocross Championships at Woodville. The four-round national championships follow those events, set to kick off near Timaru in February.
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