With three different outright winners at the three rounds thus far, it is now virtually impossible to predict who will win this weekend’s fourth round of five in this season’s New Zealand Enduro Championships in the King Country.

It has been a mixed bag of results in the Yamaha-sponsored series to this stage.

Wellington’s Rory Mead won the day at round one near Kawhia in February, while Palmerston North’s Adam Reeves and Auckland’s Chris Power shared second spot, Whangamata’s Jason Davis won round two in Northland in March and Auckland’s Karl Power returned from injury to win round three near Whangamata earlier this month.

It seems highly likely that a fresh face could top the leader board when racing concludes at Waimiha this Saturday afternoon.

Consistency has ensured that riders such as Hokianga brothers Mitchell and Damon Nield, Mokau’s Adrian Smith, Te Awamutu’s Kevin Archer (pictured above), Opotiki’s John O’Dea and Auckland’s Michael Skinner are also in contention for the outright win this season.

While the eventual champion remains a mystery for the time being, Saturday’s course at Waimiha will also be a puzzle for the competitors.

“We’ve raced the nationals here before but about a quarter of it will be fresh trails,” said event organiser Gary Powell.

“I have been hard at work clearing trails, cutting new tracks through the pines and clearing windfalls. It will be a very technical course.

“It will be about 120 kilometres of riding, including five six-kilometre special tests that will really sort the men from the boys.

“It will be interesting to see who copes best but the title may go down to the wire at the final round in Taupo (on July 21).

“Consistency will be the key and it may be that the eventual outright winner won’t even have a round win to their credit.”

There will certainly be a new champion this year because 2011 champion Mead is expected to be absent on Saturday as he instead honours overseas racing commitments.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com