YOUTHSTREAM:

There are less than four weeks until the world’s best junior riders arrive in Taupo for the 2009 RoadCraft FIM Junior Motocross World Championship on August 15-16.

“We have got entries from countries as wide-reaching as Ecuador and Tahiti and a strong response from the traditional motocross powerhouses in Europe such as Italy and France,” said Geoff Hall, President of the Taupo Motorcycle Club, the innovative club which is hosting the event.

“Our rivals across the Tasman are sending a team of 17 riders and we expect the Australians to be a strong force to be reckoned with,” said Hall.

After months of intensive training, New Zealand’s final team of 24 has been selected including 4 reserves.

“The team has spent a considerable amount of time here at the track over the last 12 months and the unique nature of the track’s pumice surface will initially give them a distinct advantage over the international riders – over the course of the weekend, we expect that to be counteracted with the raw speed and intensity of the overseas competitors,” said Hall.

“Given the current global economic environment, we are extremely pleased with the calibre of riders we are attracting – Glenn Coldenhoff from the Netherlands finished third at last year’s Junior World Championship and will be hungry to go two places better,”

“Eli Tomac is America’s sole representative and someone we expect to be on the pace early – he has won 60 national titles in the US and last year took home 6 titles at Loretta Lynn’s, America’s premier amateur race,” said Hall.

“There is a range of top riders from other countries and we expect more entries over the coming weeks – the cut-off for rider entries is the July 30th,” concluded Hall.

Entry to the 2009 RoadCraft FIM Junior Motocross World Championship on Saturday 15th August is free for all spectators and tickets are available at the gate on Sunday 16th August for $15 for adults and $10 for a child. Children under 5 are free.

Further information about the 2009 RoadCraft FIM Junior Motocross World Championship including accommodation, car and campervan rental, worldwide transportation of motorcycles, and motorcycle lease/hire can be found on the Taupo Motorcycle Club website www.taupomcc.co.nz/juniorworldmx.html.