It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Kesh youngster with the motocross race season in full flow.

Max travelled down to Co. Offaly to compete in the first round of the Irish Southern Centre Championships at Derryarkin MX Park.

This was a new track that he got to grips with straight away, qualifying in second place which meant a good choice of gate selection for the three races.

With confidence high after the strong qualifying time, Max hole-shotted the start and lead every lap, closely followed by a couple of locals that kept the pressure on. Max pushed hard and kept ahead to take his first race win. The day just got better with a hole-shot and riding home in first place in the next two races to give him three wins and first overall on the day.

Three days later, Max was at Seaforde, Co. Down for Round 2 of the Ulster Championships.

A shortened track for the automatics left the lap tight and meant back markers played a big part in the results. In race one, after a reasonable start, Max dropped the bike in an awkward corner and had to fight hard to get back up the pack salvaging seventh place.

Race two went better, a stronger start and no spills with Max finished in fifth place and in race three, whilst in fifth place, the bike engine seized, unfortunately ending with a DNF.

Next up was Tinkerhill MX track, Newry for the fourth round of the MCCNI Championship.

A longer lap for the autos this time made for some great racing.

In race one, Max fell out the back of the circuit going two laps down before getting help to restart the bike, he rode from last up to 16th showing great determination and a never give up attitude.

Race two started well but some mechanical issues meant he had to push hard to keep ahead of the chasers but finished in fifth position and then sixth in race three.

Some overnight mechanical work was required with the first round of the Errigal Club Championship up in Letterkenny the following day.

Unfortunately, the bike issue weren’t resolved and Max struggled to get enough speed to ride hard.

Although managing a fourth position in race one, he had to sit out the next two races. A frustrating day for both rider and mechanic with clutch issues to fix before the next race.

Round 5 of the MCCNI at Tandragee was held on Saturday.

In blistering heat, Max lined up along with 24 other autos to brave the jumps and dust. In race one, Max had a solid ride; but a poor start meant having to work hard to earn a sixth place. In race two Max suffered a crash just off the start gate when another rider swerved into his line. Max quickly got up and continued on.

From the back of the pack, he rode hard to chase and pass his way up to 11th. Not easy in the heat but showed great determination. In race three, he held back off the start due to the crash in the previous race and rode steady to bring home an eighth place.

Max would like to thank his local sponsors, Trunk Floor, Kesh; Beechvale Water, Enniskillen; Thyolo Equestrian, Irvinestown and McGirr Fuels, Fivemiletown.