Two boys from Taranaki win trophies in motocross event

Two Taranaki boys have won trophies at the Central Cross Country Series motocross event.

Adam Loveridge and Conor Attrill-Mundt both competed in the event. The boys competed in the junior class, Adam was first in the junior class and first junior overall. Conor was third in the junior class and third Junior overall.

Brendan Attrill, Conor's father, says the boys combined as the Francis Douglas Memorial College (FDMC) Cross Country Moto Cross Team.

"For the second time in three years, the FDMC team won the overall College Cup, which is competed between college teams from the Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Manawatū, Wellington Area, Wanganui and Taranaki Schools."

The Central Cross Country series is completed over five races beginning in November last year and finishing April this year. The races were 90 minutes long with the circuits of 15-20km each lap, riding the contour of the land.

Brendan says the contour includes tight technical sections in bush, through swamp areas and fast open-flowing sections.

"You have to be super fit and technically focused to blast around a challenging cross county track at pace. Each of the boys had their own challenges over the race series, pushing through to achieve some superb results. Racing bike brands that were reliably fast was a key factor in their success."

Adam Loveridge says it is awesome to win the Central Cross Country Series as a junior.

"I would like to thank Mum and Dad, Action Moto, The Hack Track, Northern Accessories , Alpinestars and all my supporters.

The season has had its challenges, but I was determined to build my race speed and lay down a fast series. My race Husky bike was quick and reliable enabling me to attack each race course with confidence. "

Conor says he is happy with his progress this season.

"My focus was banking race points, working on my corner speeds and picking consistent race lines for my YZ125 Yamaha. Racing with Adam was magic - he is mentally tough and super quick.

"Thanks to Mum and Dad, Union Yamaha, Brendan Attrill Agriculture Ltd, Bull Pen Powders and all my supporters."

Brendan says the boys have training programme to keep fit for the event.

"The boys keep a background fitness programme going which increases in September of each year. Keeping fit, race ready and injury free are the key challenges, along with a competitive and reliable motocross bike."

"The contribution of the sponsors offsets the major travel costs, including accommodation, fuel, flights to the South Island for two NZ Cross Country rounds and two ferry crossings each year for bikes and trailers.

"The sport is not cheap, and to be competitive the boys change out their bikes every 12 months. So plenty of jobs working for their parents on their dairy farms, including weed control, tractor driving and general tidy up duties to help off set the running costs of the bikes."

Brendan says the boys are lucky to have two families that are keen on cross country MX racing and also help to prepare and maintain the bikes.

"As time goes on, Adam and Conor are completing more of the bike prep work. They are both very good at giving feedback on bike set up and any problems that may pop up."