A BIKESPORTNZ.COM EXCLUSIVE:

With his team boss sidelined through injury, it was expected that Taupo’s Brad Groombridge would step up and fill the void.

And that’s exactly what the 19-year-old did on his home track in Taupo on Sunday.

Groombridge took his Suzuki RM-Z450 to three wins from three starts at the sand and pumice-based Digger McEwen Motorcycle Park facility in Taupo’s industrial area, winning both the MX1 class outright and also taking the main prize for the day when he won the all-comers champion-of-champions Nicky Smith Memorial feature race as well.

He finished ahead of Hamilton’s two-time former world No.2 Darryll King (Yamaha) in both the MX1 class battle and the feature race.

“It was a perfect day really,” said an ecstatic Groombridge afterwards.

“Darryll King really gave me a run for my money and I really felt the pressure from him, but I held on to win the feature race.

“I knew he was coming hard at me over those last few laps, so I had to find some extra pace too.

“To get my name on the Nicky Smith Memorial trophy is pretty special. There are not too many Taupo names on that.

“I was riding (injured team-mate) Daryl Hurley’s 2010 model bike and that made a huge difference. His 2010 model has so much more power than my regular 2009 bike. With Daryl sidelined, this is the bike I will have now for the rest of the season.

“I can’t wait now for the next round of the nationals (near Morrinsville in a fortnight, on November 8).”

Groombridge is currently fourth overall in the national series after two of four rounds.

Meanwhile, the veteran King was gracious in defeat.

“Brad just didn’t make any mistakes … it’s as simple as that,” said the 40-year-old King.

“I wanted so bad to win that final race and I was taking big risks to catch him. I guess I was beaten by the better man on the day.”

It may be some consolation to King that he won the veterans’ class, each time finishing ahead of fellow Yamaha rider Darren Capill (Whakatane), with Taupo’s Glenn Clark (Honda) third both times.

Tauranga’s Peter Broxholme (Honda) won the MX2 class on Sunday, while King’s younger brother, Cambridge-based Damien King (Yamaha) won the 125cc class.

Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont (Yamaha) impressed in winning all three 15-16 years’ 125cc class races during junior racing on the Saturday, then backed that up by finishing third overall, behind national 125cc champion Damien King and Waitakere’s Ethan Martens (KTM) in the senior 125cc class the following day.

Words and photos by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Full story and more photos in your next issue of KIWI RIDER magazine.