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Watch out Australia, the King is coming!
Suzuki rider Daryl Hurley retained his King of the Mountain title at the big annual motocross event near New Plymouth on Sunday, sounding the warning bell that he’s well on target to defend his Australian crown.
The Kiwi international led a Suzuki sweep at the top of the standings on Sunday.
Hurley and factory Suzuki team-mate Luke Burkhart, both riding with their Australian series graphics and numbers on their bikes, were untouchable as they finished 1-2 in all three Pro Open class races.
Hurley, who turned 30 in February, is favoured to retain his Australian open class title this season and, if Sunday’s “warm-up” in the shadow of Mount Taranaki is to be any indication, the man from Hawera is perhaps even stronger than he was before his five-month lay-off because of injury. He’s been back on a bike only since January.
“Yes it was a great build-up for the Australian titles. It’s good to get the intensity going before I head over there. I leave on Thursday so this was my last race at home for a while.”
Wairarapa rider Burkhart started well in each race but, ultimately, he was no match for his team leader, finishing well back from Hurley, although still a long way ahead of third and fourth-best riders Mitch Rowe (Yamaha) and Blake Gillard (Suzuki).
Though the event was sponsored by Blue Wing Honda, the red brand’s leading rider, New Plymouth’s Shayne King, was a no-show on Sunday and this was a major disappointment to fans and rivals alike.
“I would have loved to bang bars with Shayne,” said Hurley afterwards.
The third member of Suzuki’s international team, Aucklander Blake Gillard, put aside his RMZ250 to try the RMZ450 for size and, initially, it looked like it was going to be a Suzuki 1-2-3 for the podium.
Gillard finished third in the first race but then mysteriously went off the boil in the second race and managed only seventh place. He bounced back to finish third in the last race, earning himself fourth overall for the day.
“I was using it as a strength-building exercise for Australia but, for some reason, I felt uncomfortable in race two. I think I was trying too hard and needed to relax more and just roll the power on gradually.
“The 450 is a powerful bike. But I figure, if I can ride three 30-minute races on a 450, then the RMZ250 will be no problem for me in Australia.”
Leading overall standings at the King Of The Mountain motocross near New Plymouth on Sunday:
