Yamaha‰Ûªs Ryan Lancaster is aiming to go one better on last year‰Ûªs performance with a win at the 2008 Australian Quad Motocross Championships in Smithton, Tasmania, this weekend.
Racers from all corners of the country will converge on the small town, just off the Bass Highway in the state‰Ûªs north, for the two-day event which will crown a new national champion over the course of 5 races.
The YFZ 450-mounted rider has enjoyed a solid leadup to the event, recently wrapping up third place in the WA competition, where the majority of contenders for the national series emerge from.
At just 20 years of age, he is one of the younger riders on the scene but has proven in the past that he can hold his own with the experienced campaigners.
In 2007, he staged an incredible fightback to win 4 from 5 races after a DNF in the opener.
He said he felt well prepared for the event, despite the presence of a niggling rib injury, and was quietly confident about his chances.
"I've had a pretty good year, there's been some bad luck in there but I'm confident it will all come together for me at the Nationals in Tasmania this weekend," said Lancaster.
"My fitness and endurance is better than it has ever been, I'm on the same training program, led by Stephen Gall, that the top two wheel guys use, so I've been doing a lot of gym work, including cardio, to ensure I'm set to go.
"I've never raced in Tasmania before and haven't had a chance to check out the terrain around Smithton just yet, we'll head out to do that later today.
"I really want to go one better on last year's performance and put the number 1 plate on the front of my Yamaha."
Competition gets underway tomorrow, with the winner determined on points accumulated from each of the five races.
Main Photo: Ryan Lancaster
Credit: Garry Morrow / Click28.com
