Ryan Metz
DOB: 19th February 1992
Started riding aged 4. Has had a JR50, KX60, CR80, CR85, CR125, KTM125 and now KTM250 # 341.
Aims :Top 10 in the 2012 Nationals MX2.
Likes: Snowboarding, cycling, drag-racing,
Dislikes: Work & muddy tracks.
Favourite Riders: Dean Wilson & Ken Roczen.
Sponsors: Metz Engineering, Extract Visuals & Makz Gear.
Interview 9th May 2014 by Hamish Carter Weekend Sun
All fired up to make his mark in the national motocross season, it looked like it was almost over just after it began for Tauranga’s Ryan Metz.
Tauranga’s Ryan Metz made dramatic improvements during the season to finish fourth in the 125cc class at the New Zealand Motocross Championships. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
But two months on since the start of the season in Timaru, where he finished the round 16th out of 30, he’s bounded up the ladder to end the four-round series just off the podium in fourth place in the 125cc class.
“I wasn’t even thinking about making the top 10 for the series,” says the 22-year-old, who got serious about his motocross last season after a few years off.
Mount Maunganui’s Cody Cooper retained the MX1 crown he reclaimed in the championships last year, dominating the series winning nine of the 12 races.
His New Zealand Motocross Championships season picked up dramatically at the second round in Tokoroa, where a focus on smooth riding helped him finish third overall for the day.
“I’m pretty stoked at finishing fourth,” says the apprentice engineer. “I got a bit lucky with some of the other guys having problems and crashing out, but that is the way it goes in motocross.”
Among those who’ve had their share of crashes and problems this season is Te Puke’s Logan Blackburn, who saw his patchy season continue at the final round in Taupo with a crash breaking his collarbone at the start of the second race.
Logan, who was runner-up last season, finished third with 190 points. The class was won by Hamilton’s Josiah Natze, who racked up 289 points, with runner-up Hadleigh Knight of Atiamuri earning 215 points.
Tauranga’s Aaron Wiltshier also finished the 125cc class strongly, as the second best performer for the Taupo round with a fourth and two second placings, helping him claim sixth place overall for the season with 144 points.
Ryan, who collected 158 points for the season, attributes his success to focusing on fitness and regular training on the bike.
“I’m going to take a bit of a break from riding over the next few months, but I’ll definitely be back next season to give it another good go. Maybe I’ll move up to MX2 [the 250cc class]; I haven’t decided yet.”
Ryan, who rides his Yamaha with the support of family firm Metz Engineering and Bayride Motorcycles, downplays his long-term motocross prospects, saying it’s a bit harder to balance his riding with full-time work and he “just loves doing it for the fun”.