The reigning New Zealand Motocross MX1 champion, Altherm JCR Yamaha's Maximus Purvis will be unable to defend his crown this summer due to sustaining a serious knee injury.

Mangakino's Maximus tore ligaments in his knee while racing in the Australian Motocross Championship recently and had been continuing to compete in events.

Altherm JCR Yamaha Team Manager Josh Coppins has been in close contact with Purvis about managing his injury, but it has continued to cause concern.

'Today, we finally made the decision after seeing the surgeon to get surgery on his ACL,” says Josh.

'He is going to be out for this summer definitely and for approximately nine months total. He is just waiting for ACC approval then he will book the surgery date.

"We expect it will be next month and then we will spend next winter with him preparing for the 2024/25 nationals, when he will try to regain his MX1 championship.

'Obviously he is really disappointed he won't get the chance to achieve his goal of defending his MX1 title. He also will not be able to compete in the up-coming Motocross of Nations.”

Twenty-two-year-old Maximus echoes his team manger's sentiments.

'I'm disappointed with my knee being like it is because I wanted to have a crack at going back-to-back in the MX1 Championship. However, an injury is what it is and I will come back strong for the 2025 season,” says Maximus.

NZ Motocross MX1 champion, Altherm JCR Yamaha's Maximus Purvis. Photo: Phil Smith/ CLMintie.

An extremely talented rider, Maximus has had a phenomenal track record for the Altherm JCR Yamaha team.

'Over his nearly eight years with us, he's won a large number of championships for Altherm JCR. In fact, his ‘worst' result has been runner-up in MX2, in what was his rookie year," says Josh.

"If he hasn't won the championship he's been competing in, he's been runner-up. We will support Maximus through this and he will be our MX1 rider for years to come hopefully."

The Altherm JCR Yamaha team will announce an international replacement MX1 rider later in the year, once the race calendar has been confirmed.

In the meantime, the team will keep focusing on its other riders and assist Purvis in starting a good recovery programme after surgery.

The 2023/24 Altherm JCR Yamaha team will consist of Oparau's James Scott as the MX2 rider. Cole Davies, of Waitoki, will also be doing some selected MX2 events in between international duties as a support rider to the team.

'On behalf of the team, we wish Maximus all the best for his surgery and look forward to welcoming him back to the team soon,” says Josh.