Image: Foremost Media.

New Zealand’s reigning MX1 champion Maximus Purvis will join the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship starting this weekend at Wodonga, racing for the WBR Yamaha Bulk Nutrients Team on the 2023 YZ450F.

Purvis was called into the team when Bailey Malkiewicz went down with injuries at the start of the year, but with his New Zealand commitments, he wasn’t able to compete in the opening two rounds and will now be replaced by Purvis until he returns.

The 22-year-old heads into the round three in good form and having last raced with the WBR Yamaha team in 2021, he is already comfortable on the new bike and looking forward to returning to racing in Australia.

“I have always enjoyed racing in Australia and the WBR Yamaha team has been my home away from home,” said Purvis. “I have done plenty of laps around the Albury circuit and the team has been busy dialling in the bike in for me.

“I see that the MX1 class is super competitive this year so its good to be jumping in with a fast and talented group of riders and seeing how I stack up. Thank to the WBR Yamaha team for reaching out again as well as my JCR Yamaha team back at home for allowing and supporting this to happen.”

Purvis will join Matt Moss in the team at this round with both riders in the MX1 class. Unfortunately, WBR Yamaha’s MX2 pilot Ryder Kingsford is out with a foot injury this weekend and is likely to be sidelined until round five in Gillman.