The two Altherm JCR Yamaha riders, Kayne Lamont and Maximus Purvis are looking forward to kicking their 2018/2019 New Zealand motocross season off this weekend at the 2018 Huka Honda MX Fest.

Held near their hometown of Mangakino, on Taupo's pumice and sand Digger McEwen Motorcycle Park circuit, the event will host up to 480 riders over the two days and will attract thousands of spectators.

Lamont, who won the premiere MX1 class here last year, will make his race debut on his 2019 Yamaha YZ450 and Purvis is stepping up to the MX2 category for the full season on his new 2019 Yamaha YZ250F.

They will be among New Zealand's major riders and race teams and will race on Sunday, while Saturday will see JCR Altherm Yamaha supporting the brand’s customers with demonstrator bikes.

Altherm JCR Yamaha’s Team Manager Josh Coppins is confident both riders are well prepared to succeed at the 33^rdrunning of this event, hosted by one of the strongest motocross clubs in New Zealand.

“We had a test there last weekend and both riders are happy with their race bikes and happy with their riding. It’s going to be good to see them up against the other brands and see where we are at. I’m expecting some decent results. Definitely some moto wins from both of them. I’d be surprised if we didn’t get any of them,” Coppins says.

Lamont (25) is nearly back to full form, after a wrist ligament injury sustained while he was competing in the Australian Motocross Championships meant he spent three months off the bike.

“I’ve been working on my off-the-bike programme, building up strength in the gym. The aim is to be 100 per cent by Christmas, so this weekend will be a good guide to see where I’m at against the top guys,” he says.

Working as a building apprentice in Hamilton, Lamont has a very understanding boss, who has agreed to give him January to March off, so he can mount a focused, all-out assault on the MX1 title over the four-round New Zealand Motocross Championships.

Purvis has had an impressive overseas season, making his debut in the 10-round Australian nationals, where he came away with third in the under-19 category.

The up-and-coming 18-year-old augments his motocross training with wielding a chainsaw on a daily basis, as he cuts for firewood for a job.

His goals for his 2018/19 MX2 campaign are simple.

“Just stay consistent and try to get on the box every round,” Purvis says.

Coppins is looking forward to the season ahead, which will see the Altherm JCR Yamaha team race in three stand-alone events, plus the national championship from early February to mid-March.

“Taupo will host the final round of the nationals, so it’s important for the boys to get a good feel for the track early in the season. MX Fest is really a bit of a shakedown event for us to see where we are at and see where the bikes are at. We have another test scheduled for next weekend, to improve on this weekend,” Coppins says.

Altherm JCR Yamaha would like to thank their sponsors: Altherm Window Systems, JCR, Yamaha Motor New Zealand, Yamalube, GYTR, bLUcRU, Akrapovic, Ward Demolition, Star Moving, Holland Collision Centre, Workshop Graphics, Fox, YMI, YMF, Pirelli, Twin Air, DID, Renthal, Motomuck, Vertex, Motoseat & SKF.