Image: Chris Ritchie Foto.

Kiwi Josh Coppins’ Altherm JCR Yamaha team will feature Jacob Wright and Jay Wilson in the 2015 New Zealand Motocross Championship.

Wilson will return for his second MX2 season in NZ on board a YZ250F, while CDR Yamaha revelation Wright will spearhead the team’s MX1 campaign in preparation for the MX Nationals.

The Australian duo will join experienced New Zealander Scott Columb in the team, as he steps up to the MX1 division alongside Wright.

Defending MX2 champion Kayne Lamont will also be on board a YZ250F next season, in his own structure before stepping into the factory team for 2016.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kayne back to Yamaha,” said Coppins. “It has been my goal to get Kayne back on Yamaha for a year or two now and we have long-term plans for him. I really didn’t want to miss this opportunity to sign Kayne and now I will work very closely with him to develop him even further.

“We already have a full stable of great riders on the Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team for the coming season, so there just wasn’t room to have him under the awning just yet. But we will phase him in to be there in 2016.

“We have retained Australian Jay Wilson to come over and again ride the YZ250F in the MX2 class in the coming national championship season and we will also have young Australian Jacob Wright crossing the Tasman to join Queenstown’s Scott Columb in racing the YZ450F bike for us in the MX1 class.

“It has always been my aim to develop Kiwi riders and, with Scott turning 31 now, Kayne will be a great rider for us going forward into the future.”

Wright is already confirmed for CDR Yamaha in 2015, while the future of Wilson so far remains uncertain following Serco Yamaha’s signing of Jed Beaton.

The team will also support Ethan Martens in a support role, contesting the MX1 ranks on board a YZ450F.