Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

WBR Yamaha’s Max Purvis has notched up his fifth podium in a row on route to a third place finish in the Under 19 category (MXD) at round eight of the MX Nationals at Moree.
Purvis has been a like furniture on the MXD podium this year and Moree marks the fifth consecutive occasion the talented Kiwi has landed on the podium and a total of six times in the eight rounds contested so far.

Purvis claimed third on the weekend and was again extremely fast on track but the chink in his armour was starts and his opening lap position. He crossed the finish line in 10th place on the opening lap and had his work cut out to charge forward in the nine lap event.

He scrambled his towards the front and moved into third just past the halfway stage, but the lead two riders were comfortably out in front. Purvis closed the gap quickly but could do know better than third place.

“The first lap was chaotic as there were a lot of crashes and riders going down,” Purvis explains. “I had to dodge plenty of downed bikes and as a result lost a lot of time and positions.

“The track was tough to pass on, but I managed to get through and when I got to third I had a few laps of clear track, so I was able to get close to the guys in the lead. I tried to make a few moves to go into second, but I made a mistake in the final few turns and couldn’t get by.

“Third is ok and it’s another podium but I need race wins to chase down Regan. He is 34 points ahead with two rounds to go so my plan is to try and win the last four motos and not worry about whatever happens behind me.”

Jack Kukas was part of a huge pile up on the opening lap. Jack and another rider came together on a fast section of the track, with bikes and bodies going in all directions. Kukas was left dazed and sore and as a result was unable to finish the race.

The DNF has dropped him back to ninth in the championship but the good news is he is cleared of any injuries and free to race the final rounds this weekend at Coolum.

“I was in third on the first lap and made a little mistake in the rolling whoops down the back. As I corrected it and moved to the centre of the track, I collided with another rider and we both went down, then our bikes took down another rider as well, so it was pretty crazy out there.

“I was in no state to finish the race and was taken to Hospital to get checked out. Thankfully, other than being banged up and bruised, there is nothing broken and I will just rest up over the next few days and prepare for Coolum.”