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Timaru Turns it on
It's going to be a long, hot summer for the nation's elite motocross racers.
This year's Demon
Energy New Zealand Motocross Championship series kicked off its
high-flying action near Timaru on Sunday and when the engines were
finally shut down late in the afternoon, it was last year’s MX2
champion, Hawera’s Daryl Hurley (Suzuki), who had emerged as the top
dog in the glamour MX1 class.
With three rounds to
go to complete the series, it's too early to make predictions but the
Taranaki man has certainly revealed himself as the man to beat this
season.
Hurley finished 2-1-1
in Sunday’s three races, while his nearest challenger, Christchurch
Honda rider Justin McDonald, came home 1-2-2. Just three points
separate these two riders at the top of the standings and it’s likely
to be a tight battle to the end.
“I’m stoked with the
results,” said Hurley. “Three 30-minute races in this heat was pretty
tough but the conditions were perfect. They had a great track watering
system.”
It was similar in the
MX2 and 125cc classes, where Rotorua’s Michael Phillips (Honda) and
Waitakere’s Ethan Martens (KTM) respectively showed up as the riders
everyone else will need to beat to take the honours this season.
Phillips finished 1-2-1 in his three MX2 races while his nearest threat, Queenstown’s Scott Columb (Suzuki) came home 2-1-3.
Just five points
separate these two men, both of whom were team-mates when they
represented New Zealand at the Motocross of Nations in Italy just a
week ago. For Phillips and Columb to shake off the adverse affects of
jet-lag and still perform at this level on Sunday is testament to their
fitness and strength.
In the 125cc class
(which also incorporates the Under-21 title). Ethan Martens came out on top with 70 points, ahead of last years champion Damien King by just 3 points. Also in contention was Hayden McKay on 62.
“It was very warm,
about 25 degrees, and it was very close racing in all classes,” said
Motorcycling New Zealand motocross commissioner Mike McLeod.
Round two is set for Rotorua next weekend.
RESULTS from round one of four:
MX1 class:
1. Daryl Hurley (Hawera, Suzuki) 72 points;
2. Justin McDonald (Christchurch, Honda) 69;
3. Cody Cooper (Mount Maunganui, Suzuki) 54;
4. Brad Groombridge (Taupo, Suzuki) 53;
5. Mason Phillips (Mount Maunganui, Kawasaki) 52.
MX2 class:
1. Michael Phillips (Rotorua, Honda) 72 points;
2. Scott Columb (Queenstown, Suzuki) 67;
3. Peter Broxholme (Tauranga, Honda) 62;
4. Cameron Dillon (Taupo, Honda) 47;
5. Jesse Wiki (Hamilton, Honda) 43.
125cc class:
1. Ethan Martens (Waitakere, KTM) 70 points;
2. Damien King (Cambridge, Yamaha) 67;
3. Hayden McKay 62
4. Mike Cotter 56
5. Cam Negus.
Under 21 class:
1. Ethan Martens 75 points
2. Kayne Lamont 60
3. Tom Managh 58
4. James Ainsworth 48
5. Isaiah McGoldrick 47
2009 DEMON NEW ZEALAND MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Round one, October 11, 2009, Timaru
Round two, October 18, 2009, Rotorua
Round three, November 8, 2009, Patetonga
Round four, November 15, 2009, New Plymouth.
Credit: www.bikesportnz.com