Wellard Yamaha Team Management
Team Director – Mauro Balzarini
Mauro Balzarini is the Principal and Managing Director of the Wellard Group and of Siba Ships.
A big aficionado of motorcycle racing and a professional Enduro rider in his twenties, he still rides his Yamaha Enduro bike and completed his 5th ISDE in New Zealand in 2006.
His first ISDE was in 1981 so he has been involved in racing for over 25 years.
His victories include Italian Championships as well as international races.
Mauro’s passion for motorsports and his desire to see New Zealand’s involvement in the 2010 ISDE is what spurred him on to set up the Wellard NZ Team.
Team Manager – Peter Strickland
Nickname: Don’t have one
DOB: 29/05/62
Status: Married with two kids
Current Job: Maintenance Planner
Current Bike: YZ 125
Started Riding: 12yrs
Favourite place to ride: Anywhere (when there is time)
First Race: Coastal Park
Hobbies: Off-road riding
Favourite Food: Chicken
Favourite Rider: Barry Sheene
Greatest Influence: People you meet every day
Goal in life: To make a difference
Greatest Moment: Too many to list
Something no one knows: I would like to back flip a motorcycle
Technical Directer – Quinten Milton
Age: 33
Nickname: Bush Cat
Where you live: Brisbane, Australia
Current bike: 2009 YZ250F
Favourite food: My wife's curry
Heroes: David Knight & Taddy Blazusiak
I’m inspired by: Jeremy Mcgrath
Greatest moments: Winning the 200 classand 4th overall at 2004 Roof of Africa & Winning the 2002 South African 125 Offroad Championship
Likes: Extreme Enduro Riding
Dislikes: Bad attitudes
About me:
As a kid my father and older brother raced enduro’s and I always went along to watch because I was too young to participate. Watching them made me want to do it too. My first bike was an old Itajet which meant I had to work hard to keep up with the big guys. When I was 16 I started competing in enduro’s and loved it. I have never looked back. What makes it so special is the competition and the people are so great. My favourite race that I have competed in would have to be the Roof of Africa, which I finished 5 times. The idea of extreme enduro’s really appeals to me. Since I have been in Australia I have stopped racing competitively. I still do the odd state enduro round and have done 3 A4DE’s. These days I spend most of my time with my wife and my 2 kids. Although I don’t race much anymore I find it hard not to be involved in the endure community and with friends that still race.