    |
 |
|
|
|
NATIONAL CHAMPION BACK ON TRACK
MARCH 27, 2006: What a difference a few weeks makes in the world of dirt bike racing.
After a disappointing performance at the opening round of the KTM and Motorex-sponsored New Zealand Motorcycle Cross-Country Championship series near Pahiatua earlier this month, defending champion Brad Thomas had looked at very long odds to repeat the title win.
Thomas (Suzuki RM250), fatigued following a harrowing ferry trip across a stormy Cook Strait, was well off the pace and the national No.1 finished only seventh overall. Questions were being asked about his ability to fight back.
But, with a blistering run at round two near Mosgiel on Sunday, the 29-year-old from Motueka was back on track and zeroing in on his third consecutive cross-country crown.
There is still a long way to go for the Suzuki rider, however, with two rounds remaining and competitors able to discard points from one of the four events. So, with only three of the four rounds counting towards the championship, it really won’t be until after the final round in May that Thomas will be able to answer his critics.
Round one winner Adrian Smith, from Thames, was a surprise no-show on Sunday but he will no doubt be underlining the Mosgiel event as his “sacrifice” round and hoping to score big at the remaining races.
“Yes, I had a much better weekend,” said Thomas as he collected his thoughts in the pits at Mosgiel. “I don’t really know how it effects my series position. All l I know is that I won my class today … I’m first in the over-200cc two-stroke category.
“I had a shocking start … typical for me lately … but I passed everyone on the first lap. Then I just settled in and got a good flow going through the trees and felt really good. I enjoyed the race today.”
Runner-up at Mosgiel was Yamaha rider Heath Howlett, the man from Ngaruwahia also claiming top position in the over-301cc four-stroke class on his WRF450 machine.
Kawasaki riders once again claimed top honours in the small bike classes with Maramarua’s Scott Bregman (Kawasaki KX125) finishing an astonishing third overall and easily winning the under-200cc two-stroke category, while Team Green team-mate Kevin Hermansen (KX250F), from Norsewood, came home sixth overall and claimed top spot in the under-300cc four-stroke class.
Leading rider in the under-21 sub-category was Sam Speedy (KTM125), who was ninth overall and runner-up to Bregman in the under-200cc two-stroke class.
The national cross-country series next heads to Huntly, for round three on April 9, and winds up with round four in Blenheim on Saturday, May 6.
Leading results from round two of the New Zealand Motorcycle Cross-country Championships near Mosgiel on Sunday:
