Image: Andy McGechan/BikesportNZ.com.

New Zealand MX1 number three Brad Groombridge has confirmed he will line-up at this weekend’s opening round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals aboard a Byrners Suzuki in the premier MX1 category.

Groombridge has been in fine form during 2014 to date, finishing behind Cody Cooper and Billy Mackenzie in the NZ series after winning the final moto of the season.

After replacing Honda-bound Cooper in the Bel-Ray Suzuki team for 2014, 23-year-old Groombridge has been a standout this season, eventually finishing just one point shy of Mackenzie in the standings.

“I have been hunting that race win for so long now, so to finish the series like this with a win is fantastic,” Groombridge said. “I’m off to Australia next weekend for the first round of the Australian Motocross Championships.

“I will be racing across the Tasman this season for Byrners Suzuki in Melbourne and SPMX. It’s not a factory team but the next best thing and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Groombridge’s NZ teammate Rhys Carter will contest the MX Nationals series alongside Matt Moss at the factory Motul Suzuki team, fresh from finishing seventh in the Kiwi MX2 season.