Within days of his victory, the recently-crowned New Zealand Motocross MX2 champion was in negotiations with a top Australian team to replace retiring fellow Kiwi rider Ben Townley.
Then reality set in and Columb said it was a necessary decision to have his anterior cruciate ligament operated on within the next fortnight, as it had been giving him ''a lot of grief.''
He had snapped it in a skiing accident when he was 9 and the damage had got to the point where it needed attention.''
It's getting more and more sloppy. It's just wearing out the bones. I've just got to park up and sit it out.''
Columb anticipated being ready to join the New Zealand team at the Motocross of Nations in Germany at the end of September, if he is fit enough to be selected.
After finishing fifth in the Australian supercross championships last year, October and November could be the time to head over the Ditch, he said.''
If I'm able and everything is good I might try and find a ride over there.''
Columb then planned to return to New Zealand to defend his motocross crown and also race in the national supercross series.
