TWO FROM TWO | Bikesportnz

It is now two from two for New Zealand’s Paul Whibley in the United States.

The Yamaha ace from Pahiatua wrapped up round two of the Off-Road Motorcycles and ATV (OMA) series in southern Kentucky at the weekend, dishing up a repeat taste of the punishment he had served up to his rivals at round one in Alabama last month.

The four-time OMA series champion rode his Yamaha YZ450F to the head of the field soon after the start and he never looked back from there.

The 33-year-old Whibley is the defending OMA champion and, with two wins under his belt already, he looks well on target this season to make it five consecutive OMA crowns in America.

The quad bike race had torn up the track on Saturday, but, with some hard work by OMA promoter Bill Gusse, the track was reworked and was almost completely fresh for the bikes on Sunday.

“From the start of Sunday’s motorcycle race, I quickly took control of the race.

“I grabbed the holeshot and jetted out to a lead that would continue to grow with the race. National enduro champ Russell Bobbitt gave chase over the first couple of laps before succumbing to my AmPro Yamaha team-mate Jordan Ashburn.

“Nick Fahringer and his 300 Husaberg moved up to join the fight for second place about halfway into the race.

“I had a good pit stop and had completed refuelling before second place came into sight.

“I felt the track was getting better with each passing lap with some nice ruts forming in the soft woods.”

The scrap over second began to heat up late in the race with Fahringer continuing to push forward, overtaking Bobbitt and Ashburn.

“(My wife) Katherine and (my mechanic) Ryan Slagle were giving split times on the pit board, so I could monitor the gap back to second place. I could tell there had been a war going on back there as a different name was often listed with the split to second place.

“I was able to ride safely to the win, going two for two in the early part of the 2012 OMA season.”

Whibley is supported by Monster Energy, Sargent Yamaha in Masterton, MotoSR suspension, BikesportNZ.com, Graphic MX Creation and Yamaha New Zealand.

Leading results from OMA round two:

1. Paul Whibley

2. Nick Fahringer

3. Russell Bobbitt

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