Columb leads the MX2 class after the first round of the New Zealand motocross championships at Timaru on Sunday.
The Queenstown Suzuki RM-Z250 racer finished 2-2-1 in his three races at the Pleasant Point circuit, enough to edge out defending MX2 champion Darryll King (Yamaha), of Hamilton, yet his overall feeling was one of frustration.
"I really should have walked away with three wins, or at least two wins," Columb (28) said.
He has been out of action with a knee injury for the past two years. That meant his starts were not as sharp as he would have liked, and being slow out of the gates meant he was at the mercy of the other riders' "roost, dust and dirt".
"I was back in 12th spot at the start of the first race and came all the way through to second spot but couldn't get past King.
"I had another poor start in the next race but got to the front with about three laps to go and then I got a flat tyre and, once again, I had to settle for second place."
He comfortably won the last race and although he achieved victory overall, practising his starts will be a main priority before round two of the four-round series at Patetonga, near Morrinsville, in a fortnight.
"I just need to tidy up my technique."
Fellow Suzuki men Daryl Hurley, of Hawera, and Mount Maunganui's Rhys Carter finished third and fourth overall respectively in the MX2 class.
Columb is keen to add the national motocross crown to the senior lites (250cc) trophy he won in the three-round New Zealand supercross championship in January.
