DIRT NEWS

he achieved when riding a different brand of bike in the MX1 class at the nationals earlier this season , was keen to help the fundraising efforts , but Saturday ’ s racing at Taupo was really all about him getting sorted on the new Suzuki . In addition , he was just beginning his mission to build up his physical fitness in what is one of the most demanding sports in the world . He managed tenth in the MX1 class qualifying race , then finished 11th in the combined MX1 / Veterans ’ race and then finished seventh in the combined MX1 / MX2 race that wrapped up the day . “ I am simply loving the bike ,” beamed Steiner afterwards , “ It suits the way I ride and it ’ s a stock bike . It ’ s probably one of the best stock standard , straight-out-of-the-crate bikes I ’ ve ever ridden . I nearly pulled off a holeshot in the first race ... I was actually second through turn one , and that was the first race I ’ ve done on this bike . I can only get better from here ,” he said . “ I have not raced since the nationals [ which wrapped up in March ], so my body fitness needs some work . I ’ ve only done about two hours of riding on this bike so far . At the moment , I ride about one lap and then my fitness goes out the window . “ Since I have everything sorted now and all the sponsors have come on board , I ’ ll be getting right back into it and begin training in earnest . I might need to adjust my suspension to suit me better , but basically this bike is good to go .” The busy part of the season typically begins in January each year , with the big annual New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville , followed by the nationals through until about March , so that gives Steiner plenty of time to get into shape for a crack at putting his Suzuki on the podium or even perhaps winning a New Zealand title .

AMA SuperCross Championship following injuries to both its remaining factory riders . “ I am gutted to say our riders Pierce Brown and Justin Barcia will not be racing the final rounds of the Supercross season due to injuries ,” said Troy Lee Designs / Red Bull / GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager , Max Lee . “ We hope for a speedy recovery from both and for them to be back racing sometime this outdoor season . On the upside , Michael Mosiman has been riding and training and looking good heading into round one at Fox Raceway .” 450SX rider Justin Barcia has successfully undergone surgery on his broken collarbone sustained in Nashville at round 15 of the championship . The 31-year-old also , unfortunately , broke his right shoulder in a fall , along with suffering two broken ribs . Barcia ’ s injuries came just one week following his

92 KIWI RIDER

Justin Barcia - Troy Lee Designs _ Red Bull _ GASGAS Factory Racing Team