Motorcross: On track for transtasman trip

Motocross enthusiast Joel Meikle shows his style on a track at his North Otago home. Photo by...
Motocross enthusiast Joel Meikle shows his style on a track at his North Otago home. Photo by Sally Rae.
Talented young North Otago rider Joel Meikle is off to the Australian junior motocross national championships this month.

Courtney Duncan, of Palmerston, and Campbell King, of Brighton, will also be attending the championships in Maffra, where racing starts on September 26.

Joel (12), who is in year 7 at Ardgowan School, has been riding motorcycles since he was about 3 and started racing when he was 9.

"I just tried racing, enjoyed it and kept going," he said.

This year, Joel has competed in events from Pukekohe to Tuatapere, winning the 11-12 years 85cc class at the North Island championships in New Plymouth, and the same class at the South Island championships in Cromwell.

He was fourth in the national championships in Taupo, riding his Honda CR85 bike.

Joel was grateful for the support of his parents, Justin and Renee, and also Blair Selfe, from Oamaru Motorcycles.

He practised "pretty much every day" on a track at his home and hoped to compete eventually in the United States and Europe.

One of his heroes was teen sensation Ken Roczen, of Germany, who races in Europe.

Joel also plays representative rugby for the North Otago under-48kg team and is a keen swimmer.

He broke his collarbone in a motocross accident in 2007 and was disappointed to miss out on his rugby season that year.

 

 

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