Kiwi Scott Columb won't be with the Motul Pirelli Suzuki team in the MX Nationals' remaining rounds. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Motul Pirelli Suzuki team manager Jay Foreman has confirmed that the team will focus its attention on the MX1 class of the Monster Energy MX Nationals for the remainder of the season.

The team hired New Zealand’s Scott Columb to replace injured regular Steven Clarke on the RM-Z250 in MX2 late in the pre-season, however the team will now focus on 450 riders Todd Waters and Cody Cooper.

Suzuki will put all of its resources into the premier MX1 category, with team newcomer Waters coming off a massive victory at Murray Bridge’s fifth round to boost himself to third in the series.

“Scott was filling in for Scuba, but considering how Todd has been going it’s been a bit of a drain on manpower with three riders,” Foreman explained. “It’s not performance-based or anything, but we’ll focus on the 450 with Todd and Cody at this point.”

Impacting the Newcastle-based team’s situation is that it has been without experienced mechanic Simon ‘Hoppa’ Reid in recent races, as he’s currently sidelined with a back injury.

It’s expected that Clarke will return from injury, suffered during Super X last year, when Australian Supercross is expected to commence in September.

Columb, who sits 11th in the MX2 standings after five of 10 rounds, is currently searching for a ride to conclude the season.