Altherm JCR Yamaha's Cole Davies couldn't have had a better start to his season, with the Waitoki youngster netting double titles in the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championship over the weekend.

He was able to place big ticks next to two items on his 2022 goal list, which targeted winning the14-16 years 250cc class and also the 15-16 years 125cc category, at the Mach 1 Motorcycle Park, in New Plymouth.

Riding a Yamaha YZ250F in the higher capacity class, Davies was the clear victor, clean-sweeping the races and finishing 21 points clear of his nearest rival. Then on-board his YZ125, the gap to second was 19 points and he won four of the five races over the three-day event.

'The weather was good. The track was mint. The ruts were really deep and my mechanic Nabe had my bikes perfect all weekend,” Davies says.

His dual class victories were the perfect build up before he heads to Australia later this month to compete in the Australian Supercross Series' second round in Adelaide. In November, he will also contest the third and fourth rounds.

Before he leaves for his international foray, 15-year-old Davies will race next at the Taupo MX Fest in a fortnight, as part of his build up to contesting the Senior 125cc class in the four-round New Zealand Motocross Championship, which will be held in February and March 2023.

He has been training hard pre-season with Yamaha ambassador and former international motocross and supercross rider Ben Townley, of Tauranga. Townley's sons Levi and Jaggar also race under the Altherm JCR Yamaha team banner and judging by their results this weekend, have both inherited their father's riding skills.

Levi, who is 12-years-old, finished second in the Mach 1 Yamaha-sponsored 12-13 years 85cc/150cc class, while his younger brother Jaggar shared the same position on the podium in the 8-11 years 85cc/150cc class. Switching from his Yamaha YZ85 to his YZ65, 10 year old Jaggar then went on to win the 8-11 years Pro 65cc title.

Riding under the Altherm JCR Yamaha banner Levi Townley, #26, was runner up in the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championship's 12-13 year old 85cc/150cc class on his YZ85. Photo: CD Photography.

Yamaha rider Breanna Rodgers also took home the 12-16 years Junior Women's 125cc/250cc crown on her YZ125.

Yamaha Motor New Zealand Motorsport Manager Josh Coppins says he enjoyed attending the junior nationals, where the brand was one of the main sponsors of the event, along with the local New Plymouth Yamaha dealer, Mach 1 Yamaha.

'It was a great feeling to kick off what is going to be a busy racing season with such strong results across the Altherm JCR Yamaha junior team. I was really happy to see Cole execute his plan to perfection and win both his classes. The Townley brothers demonstrated they will be forces to be reckoned with in the future too. We also had really good representation right across the board from our customers to the bLUcRU-supported riders.”

'I want to say a big thanks to Ben for all his work with the junior Altherm JCR Yamaha racing team, which collected three titles and a couple of podiums too. It's satisfying to see the pathway we have been working on pan out. It won't be too long before they race again in the 2023 NZ Junior Motocross Championship which is in April in Southland. That will come around pretty quick.”

Doing double duties for his Altherm JCR Yamaha team, Jaggar Townley, #101, had a win in the 8-11 year old Pro 65cc and a second place 8-11 year olds 85cc/150cc to his name by the end of the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championship. Photo: CD Photography.

'The Altherm JCR Yamaha team wishes Cole all the best for his supercross stint in Australia. While here in New Zealand, we look forward to bringing in our senior riders Maximus Purvis (MX1) and Brodie Connolly (MX2) into the fold for the Taupo MX Fest over Labour Weekend.

'We are also looking forward to our 2022/2023 Yamaha activations starting this weekend with our first bLUcRU Kids Camp in Glen Murray,” Coppins concludes.