The junior action remains extremely tight after the third round of four in the New Zealand Cross-country Championships near Blenheim on Sunday, with a group of three or four riders all hotly contesting the national crown.

The two-hour junior segment of the competition set for early in the day, meaning the younger riders would be first to test the conditions.

“With no rain for 12 months, the track was very dusty,” said Pahiatua’s Scott Sowry, one of the leading contenders for the junior crown this season.

Pukekawa’s Anthony Parker got the holeshot ahead of Eketahuna’s Daniel Christie, Sowry and local rider Ethan Bruce, of Maruia.

With local track advantage, Bruce soon passed Sowry.

“I latched onto him as we passed Daniel Christie and Anthony Parker,” said Sowry.

“Near the end of the lap, Ethan made a mistake allowing me to lead through the timing gate.

“Ethan soon passed again with Matthew Quirke (of Raglan) lurking not far behind as we clicked off a couple more laps. I wasn’t feeling all that comfortable on the bike.

“Ethan went into a corner a little hot trying to pass a lapper, going down, with his bike sliding under a fence and getting stuck. I led the next couple of laps before making a mistake, allowing Matthew take the lead. I wasn’t able to match his pace so had to settle for second behind Matthew and Ethan climbing back to fourth.”

The fourth and final round is set for May 12 at Cheviot, near Christchurch, with three riders locked together on points.

The finishing order in Cheviot next month will determine the junior champion for 2012.

© Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com