Jumping Class to Team Suzuki
Logan Blackburn
On Wednesday Logan joined Mount Maunganui coach Andrew Hardisty and his Moto City Bel-Ray Pro Rider Suzuki team mates at the launch of the new MX team at Pirini Park, where the frustrating end to his last season was a distant memory.
“It’s really exciting. We’ve got a great team [with MX1 riders Rhys Carter and Brad Groombridge and MX2 rider Campbell King] and Andrew’s been in the game for a long time so there’s a lot to learn from him.”
The team launch follows a long winter recovering from surgery on his collarbone broken in the last round of the national series and an earlier lower leg and ankle injury that needed his bones to be reset.
“It was hard watching the racing from the sideline these past few months and I’m really looking forward to getting out there again,” says Logan.
The 20-year-old had been off the bike for five months – and only two months since resuming riding he’s still building up fitness, rating himself at only 50 per cent.
“I’ve still got a long way to go. I’m putting a lot of work into my fitness and getting out on the bike most days, but I’m not going too fast yet because that’s when things can happen.”
Logan’s frustrating end to his season was all the harder coming on the heels of his near-miss the previous year, when despite a consistently strong season-long performance he missed the 125cc class title by only one point.
But the disappointing result is just one more motivation for him to make sure he gives it his best this time round.
“It was kind of heart-breaking after the last season, when we’d funded it ourselves as privateers and just missed out.
“I’m all fired up to give it my best. It’s been so good getting back out there and riding every day,” says Logan, who is adapting to his YZ250F after stepping up from two-stroke 125cc bikes.
“I’m really excited about racing in the MX2 [250cc] class. I can’t wait to get out there and racing,” says Logan, who is limiting himself to training runs and minor club events.
“The hardest part is getting used to a four-stroke.”
He’ll face his first real test at the MX Fest at Taupo at Labour Weekend, with most top riders expected to compete.
Logan says he’ll focussed on his technique and giving it everything he can. While knowing he has a long way to improve he’s confident he has time before the national series in the New Year.
“I’m a bit nervous [about Taupo]. I know I’m not quite ready, but the real goal is the nationals.”
Along with regular riding with his team mates, Logan is focusing on building up his fitness to cope with intensive competitive riding, with his eyes firmly set on making the top five in the class this season “or ideally the top three”.