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Race Report: CRA Cable Creek
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: JG Offroad, GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki
Bike: Kawasaki KX450f
Result: 1st
Last chance for some racing before the return to GNCCs brought out some top level competion to a local CRA event at Cable Creek.
Andrews Cycles Jason Thomas and Josh Weisenfelds were in attendance. Also the JG Offroad GEICO Monster Energy team was out in force with Jimmy Jarretts fast healing wrist allowing him back into action early and XC2 rider Scotty Watkins racing his KX250f. Also an extra couple of Kiwis were racing on some GEICO team equipment, Adam Reeves, current NZ XC Champion and Karl Power who placed 2nd overall in the NZ Enduro Nationals.
The short start straight led quickly to a dusty powdery hillclimb. I was in the top three round turn one behind early leader Jason Thomas and Scotty Watkins. A quick pass on Scotty and I was searching for a way around Jason. The dusty rocky track had some good elevation changes and was nice and rough after the quad race. A pass was made on Jason and I wanted to be gone by the time we hit traffic.
The lap was short (6-7 minutes ) so we were soon into the dust from the slower riders but I had built a small lead and worked hard to maintain it. Jason was riding well and never fell to far back. I stopped for gas after an hour and he closed up within 10 sec. I put my head down and worked on stretching my lead. Pushing it out to a minute and 40 seconds by the finish and taking a good win.
The steep hillclimb by the start line had deteriorated with most riders electing to take the safe alternative line. It did provide some spectacular viewing for the spectators when it all went wrong for those who did take a shot at it.
Jason came home in 2nd and Jimmy put another GEICO bike on the box in 3rd. The other Kiwis did good in their first race in the states with Adam placing 7th and Karl 8th.
