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Injured rider makes brave return
Former champion Paul Wilson returned to the gruelling sport of motorcycle cross-country racing last Sunday - minus part of his right foot.
The tough Piopio rider won the championship, a series of three-hour races, three years running, 1997-99. But he had to miss last year\'s series after a logging accident cut off two toes and some of his foot.
Wilson, now 29, returned to racing last year and achieved some good results. Now he feels he is ready for the Suzuki national championships, and raced a Honda CR250 in the first North Island round near Taumarunui on Sunday.
He said the injury affected his braking at first but that was no longer a problem, and neither was putting his foot down to steady a sliding bike. \"People think it affects your balance but it doesn\'t really,\" he said.
In his championship years Wilson had a reputation as a very strong and fit rider, but he says his fitness is probably not at title-winning level yet. However, he says he retains his main asset -- an intuitive ability to read the terrain and \"know what\'s over the hill\" on the long cross-country circuits.
Reigning champion Adam Youren of Napier, also a triple title-winner, is defending his title with a new Suzuki RM250. However he said he is still getting the hang of his new bike, and his fitness is not as high as he wanted.
The biggest challenge to these two should come from young Pahiatua rider Paul Whibley, who won the national enduro title last year and finished second in the Australian four-day championship held recently near Kawhia. Whibley, who has also enjoyed victories in motocross, rides a Honda CR250.
Meanwhile the South Island section of the championship also opened on Sunday, in Westland.
Cross-country championship events are run over three hours, over courses usually 15-25km in length. The only let-up comes when riders stop for fuel.
The first three rounds are split into North Island and South Island sections, and then all the top riders compete in two finals.
The schedule for the 2001 Suzuki National Cross-country Championship is:
Round one, March 4: South Island, Westland; North Island, Taumarunui.
Round two, March 25: South Island, Mosgiel; North Island, Rotorua.
Round three, April 8: South Island, Christchurch; North Island, Hawke\'s Bay.
Final one (combined), April 29: Marlborough.
Final two (combined), May 20: Woodville.
