close to within two minutes of Whibley, but a
runner-up finish was the best he could hope for
and he backed off the pace over the final lap,
while Pahiatua’s Charles Alabaster (Suzuki) also
overcame a difficult start to claw his way up and
claim the third podium spot. Dickey settled for
fourth overall, albeit finishing just a few seconds
behind Alabaster.
Meanwhile, Taupo’s Wil Yeoman (Yamaha)
celebrated a start-to-finish win in the 90-minute
junior race held earlier in the day, crossing the
finish line ahead of Eketahuna’s Luke Brown
(KTM) and Tauranga’s Jack McLean (Honda).
Best of the 85cc bike riders was Cambridge’s
Jared Hannon (KTM), who finished eighth overall
in the junior race.
“It’s all gone according to plan. There was a really
good turn-out here from both junior and senior
riders,” said MNZ cross-country commissioner
Chris Smyth.
“The track here was awesome, with a bit of
everything... fast stuff, a bit of tight stuff, with
pine trees and even some mud out there, believe
it or not,” said Smyth.
“The depth of talent is very good and any rider
finishing here today in the top 10 has a good
chance of winning the series outright.”
Round two of the New Zealand Cross-country
KIWI RIDER 105