JAKE Knighton headed to the Australian Motocross Championships with one goal: finish inside the top 10 against the best young riders in the country.
The 11-year-old produced a stunning performance at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in Shepparton, Victoria, finishing second overall in the 65cc 10-under-12 years class and turning what had already been a breakthrough season into a national result few in the family could quite believe.
“Second in Australia – I’m still in shock,” mum Anna Knighton said.
“We came with a goal of top 10 as we are in an older age group this year.”
For Jake, the competition became as much a test of resilience and composure as it was speed.
“It (the competition) threw everything at us,” Jake said. “We had all four seasons, and the track was challenging in every different condition.
“But I’m really proud of the way I handled every situation that was thrown my way. I just kept pushing, stayed focused and gave it everything I had.
“I’m proud of myself for getting through such a tough week and never giving up.”
Earlier this year, Knighton was already establishing himself as one of Queensland’s brightest junior motocross prospects, sitting fourth overall in the Queensland Titles on both his 65cc and 85cc bikes despite stepping into an older age division and being the youngest rider competing in the higher class.
It is a motocross journey Jake has shared with his seven-year-old brother Kody, with weekends in the Knighton household spent loading bikes, travelling hundreds of kilometres and lining up at tracks across Queensland and interstate as the brothers chase their racing ambitions.
For months, however, one destination had loomed larger than the rest, with Shepparton representing the chance to discover just how far Jake had come and where he stood when the gates dropped against the best young riders from across Australia.
Jake went to the titles hoping to discover whether he belonged among Australia’s best young motocross riders.
Five days later, with a national silver medal beside his name, he had his answer and so did the rest of Australia.
