Catch-up with the Kiwis before Conondale
Tuesday 08 July: Round 7 of the Australia MX Nationals this Sunday at Conondale. Sharon Cox asks the questions.
Australia’s
MX Nationals heads into Round 7 this weekend with the heat turned up across all
classes: MX1, MX2 and MXD.
Debates have
been kept alive throughout the 10 round Series: consistency versus wins, 2
stroke versus 4 stroke MX2, rookie/privateer versus factory and Kiwi riders
versus Aussie.
With 4
Rounds left heading towards the final at Coolum on 30-31 August this Sunday’s racing needs
to count for Kiwi riders Rhys Carter (Team Motul Suzuki), Hamish Harwood (CMR KTM Red Bull
Motorex) and Kayne Lamont (Red Bull Husqvarna)
With the
momentum of 2014 NZ MX Championships long gone MX1 rookie Carter, NZ MX2
Champion Lamont and 2013 Australia MXD Champion Harwood all remain focused on
the goal ahead racing the final 11 motos.
Rhys Carter
Rhys Carter - Credit Jeff Crow / Media Explorer
SC: Best
result so far 5th in Moto 1 Round 6- what do you take away from such
a positive result?
Rhys: Just stay positive from that first race and keep the speed and momentum
that I had that weekend for the last 4 Rounds.
You paid tribute to Trent Haywood racing his # 323 at Round 6- obviously this
was a special moment for you. At times the sport is full of emotions- do you
see this as a positive influence on your riding or is it challenging part of
the sport?
It was a very special moment for me as his family
and friends made the trip over which was cool. It’s very challenging as it is
my second very close friend I have lost from racing but I have to use it as a
positive and turn it all into a strength while racing and training. I know how
hard he trained and that for me is a strength.
Final 4 Rounds will be full on, with 3 in August. Are there any tweaks you want
to work on off the bike and on before heading back across the ditch for Round
7?
Yeah there are always things to work on and starts
will be one main thing also the start of my motos with sprints etc.
Hamish Harwood
Hamish Harwood - Credit Jeff Crow / Media Explorer
SC:
After Round 6 you are sitting 2nd Overall in MX2 Championship, the final 4
Rounds will be full on. How will you prepare: mentally as well as physically
for Round 7, then 3 final Rounds in August?
Hamish: My plan
leading into the Final 4 rounds is to focus a lot on fitness before Round 7.
Then we have a 3 week break before Round 8 and I plan to spend a lot of hours
on the bike with Target MX Coaching, fixing up some bad habits.
Australia MX Nationals always pushes riders to perform under pressure. You
don't seem to buy into this and perform at your own pace. What keeps you
grounded on Aust Nats race day?
I don't seem
to get affected too much under pressure. I don't think about it either. As soon
as the gate drops it all goes out of my head. I think it helps that I'm also
quite a calm rider.
Stepping up to MX2 from last year’s win in MXD has proven you are comfortable
racing KTM 250SX. Are you happy with the bike and do you feel comfortable
against others guys on 250F?
I love these
questions about the 2 stroke vs 4 stroke! Yes I am comfortable on the 2 stroke
and I do like the bike and set up I'm running. I know for a fact I'm faster on
a 4 stroke from doing testing but the 2 strokes are better for starts. We don't
have the budget to run the 4 stroke. I don't feel as comfortable with the 2
stroke on hard pack, but then I do like the 2 stroke on soft soils.
Kayne
Lamont
Kayne Lamont - Credit Jeff Crow / Media Explorer
SC: How was Round 6 for you?
Kayne: Round 6 wasn’t the best weekend for
me. I was suffering with sickness all week and weekend. I had two horrible
starts and struggled breathing during the races. I finished with a 6th
in race one and 12th in race two for a 9th overall.
With final 4 Rounds coming up, last three in
August- racing will be down to the wire. You've had plenty of experience racing
under pressure- how will you maintain your focus on the track?
I just need to focus on myself and not
worry about anyone else. My goal is to take race wins again and overalls as I
need as many points as I can get.
Coming off NZ MX season with MX2 Title and
heading straight into Australia's MX Nationals it has been a long haul over
last few months. Will you alter any training programme or gym programme to keep
yourself fresh for the Final Rounds?
It has been flat out. I took a while
to get over my appendix operation and had a small shoulder injury during the
Aussie races, so training has been quite difficult. But now I can train how I
did during the NZ series.
Australia's MX Nationals have great depth in
their riders competing at similar levels across all classes. What is most stand
out difference between racing Australia's MX Series to racing at home- given
difference of depth in talent.
I find that if you don’t get a start
it is difficult to pass as there are more riders the same speed as you. With NZ
it is a little different but NZ have some fast riders too, that’s for sure.
Credit: Sharon Cox
http://www.mxlink.co.nz/