Remarkably, Connolly’s lap times were a
full four seconds quicker even than those
recorded by the junior 250cc class riders.
He then took his LMC Racing Team
Husqvarna TC125 and stepped up to the
senior ranks the following day, making his
debut in the senior 125cc grade, and again
he was unstoppable, once more scoring a
hat-trick of wins and this time taking the
top podium spot ahead of Rotorua’s Joshua
Bourke-Palmer (Yamaha) and Nelson’s Ethan
Waters (Yamaha).
Connolly’s lap times on Sunday would
possibly have been good enough to see him
finish among the top 10 in the senior MX2
(250cc) grade.
To further emphasise just how special
Connolly’s performance was at the weekend,
it should be noted that it was also his debut
ride on the Husqvarna TC125 bike.
“I loved the bike immediately,” exclaimed
Connolly. “I only picked the bike up two
weeks ago but I felt comfortable on it
straight away. This weekend was my first
competitive event on it.
98 KIWI RIDER
“I didn’t know what to expect of my senior
debut and I am now looking forward to
racing the senior nationals in the 125cc class
(starting in Taranaki in February). And I will
still race the junior nationals though too,
because I’ve still got two more seasons to go
as a junior before he turns 1 .”
The 2019 junior nationals are set for the
Manawatu region in April.
“I plan to race the 125cc class at the junior
nationals and possibly ride a 250cc bike at
that event too.”
Connolly won the junior 12-14 years’ 125cc
class title at the 2018 junior nationals earlier
this year and now, after celebrating his 15th
birthday just two weeks ago, he’s been quick
to make the elder 15-16 years’ 125cc class
his own too.
He finished 13th overall in the 125cc class
at the 2018 FIM Junior Motocross World
Championships at Horsham, in Australia, in
August.
“I hope to race overseas again sometime
but, at this stage, we have nothing planned,”
he said.