Motocross: Lamont quickly back to winning ways

Mangakino's Kayne Lamont (Yamaha YZ250F), on his way to a convincing overall victory at the weekend's annual Auckland Motocross Championships. Photo / Andy McGechan Bikesportnz.co.nz

Bay of Plenty's Kayne Lamont is back, re-asserting his position at the top of the New Zealand motocross ranks.

The 2014 national MX2 champion had been sidelined with injury since July, but he returned to racing at the annual Auckland Motocross Championships near Pukekohe on Sunday and almost immediately picked up where he left off, by winning.

With support from Yamaha NZ, Valleyfresh, WIL Sport, Altherm JCR Yamaha and BikesportNZ.com, the 21-year-old from Mangakino was excited to make his debut on the Yamaha YZ250F four-stroke bike and he didn't disappoint.

He struggled in his first race, suffering from painful "arm pump" and with the bike's suspension not quite dialled into the treacherous track conditions, but he still managed to fight his way to second, finishing five seconds behind rising young Kiwi star Josiah Natzke of Hamilton.

"The track was difficult, with black tyres marks being left on the rock-hard soil. Because it was my first race in five months, my fitness was not at its best and my strength was down, but, apart from that, I felt good on the bike."

Suspension settings were altered and the next race was an entirely different story, with Lamont clearing out to win by a convincing 15-second margin over Natzke. The two riders were now level at the top of the points with one race remaining.

"I was surprised at how much of a gap I pulled on Josiah. I guess the changed suspension settings must have worked," said Lamont.

Race three was show-time for Lamont and, with another solid lead, he delighted the crowd with whip jumps off the main hill at the Pukekohe track.

Second in was visiting Australian rider Caleb Ward, with Rotorua's Michael Phillips finishing third. Natzke crashed midway, but recovered to finish fifth, behind Rotorua's Scott Canham.

Lamont won the day with 72 points, Natzke settled for second with 63 points and Ward rounded out the podium with 57 points.

Lamont will now focus on being in shape to win the Whakatane Summercross just after Christmas, then the NZ Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville in January.