Motocross: Oamaru rider to compete in Tahiti

Oamaru motocross rider Joel Meikle in action at the South Island secondary schools championships...
Oamaru motocross rider Joel Meikle in action at the South Island secondary schools championships near Timaru recently. Photo supplied.
You do not tend to reply in the negative when you are 17 and someone offers you an all expenses-paid trip to Tahiti.

Joel Meikle certainly did not have to think twice.

The Oamaru motocross rider flies from Auckland on Thursday, after receiving a late call-up to ride at the Pacific Cup event in Tahiti this weekend.

He, Scott Canham (Rotorua) and Max Purvis (Taupo) will travel together - under the guidance of coach Peter Broxholme - but compete as individuals at the event.

Motorcycles will be supplied, but Meikle will take his own handlebars for a Honda 250.

He knows it will be hot, and he has been brushing up on his pronunciation of ''bonjour'', but the event is otherwise a mystery.

''I honestly have no idea of what to expect,'' Meikle said.

''But it should be a really good experience and I'd like to do well.''

The Waitaki Boys' High School year 12 pupil has twice previously competed overseas, but only as far as Australia.

He was the New Zealand 13-16 years 85cc champion in 2013, and finished second in the 14-16 years 250cc this year.

Meikle is second in the Southern Series, but will miss the third round this weekend.

He will be back in time for the major Taupo MX Fest at Labour Weekend.

Add a Comment