Van built for speed

Van Hazelden is hoping to win gold at the New Zealand Mini Motocross Nationals later this year and, based on his recent trophy haul, he’s in with a good chance.

Van Hazelden, photographed at Cambridge Middle School after winning five trophies in one weekend.

The Cambridge Middle School student got into motocross riding when he was about five, after watching school friends competing.

“It’s just the excitement and the adrenaline that makes it really fun…it just brings joy to my body,” he said.

Van’s father, Mark, described him as a “consistent rider”.

“He got second in the nationals in Christchurch last year, so he’s currently ranked number two in New Zealand in the 7-11 year-old trail class.”

Van, 11, won the 7-11 year-old 65cc and 7-11 year-old trail classes at the annual Bay of Plenty Motorcycle Club Interschools Motocross competition near Matata recently, and clocked the fastest lap time on the mini track across all classes.

The next day he won the 7-11 year-old trail class on his Kawasaki KLX140 and came second in the 7-11 year-old 65cc class with his KTM65 at the 2024 King’s Cup event in Tokoroa.

His older brother Jack, 12, also added to the family trophy cabinet, finishing second overall at the Bay of Plenty Motorcycle Club interschools competition in the 11-12 year-old 85cc class.

More Recent Sports

Jane’s two-day plus marathon

Cambridge’s Jane McAlpine set a New Zealand women’s record last week in Queensland at the Dead Cow Gully Backyard Masters, running 355km in 53 hours. The Te Awamutu College alumna is coached by fellow New…

Czyk burns out in Spain

Wotjek Czyz caused the big upset in the second round at the Parastanding World Tennis championships in Spain last week only to dip out in the quarter finals. The Cambridge Paralympian beat France’s Cédric Delmas…

Swim Fest launched

Lake Karāpiro will host a two-day festival of swimming next year, the first of its type in New Zealand, say organisers. The combination of swimming events, community activities and lakeside entertainment will make the lake…

New caps and victories

Te Awamutu Sports and Hautapu claimed wins on Matariki weekend, while the Cambridge-based side has a new All Black cap in their ranks. Chiefs prop Ollie Norris has joined fellow Hautapu club man Luke Jacobson…