TOP FIVE FINISH | Bikesportnz

Kiwi champion Jake Whitaker is back home after a campaign to tackle rounds three and four of the World Trials Championships in Australia.

“My minder Nick and I flew into Sydney on May 17, so we had plenty of time to run in the new factory 300 supplied by team KAOS,” said the five-time New Zealand champion.

“We headed out to the famous Pacific Park to train on the rocks there for the weekend, we got the bike running sweet after a few minor adjustments.

“On Monday and Tuesday we were busy preparing the bikes and loading the van at the teams head quarters, thanks to Darryl and Estelle Boorer for putting us up and taking care of absolutely everything!

“Wednesday we had an early start on the road through to Melbourne, just a quick 9-hour drive.

“Thursday we had a practice at the venue along with all the over European riders that had made the trip over, followed by another practice Friday and walking of the sections in the afternoon.

“All 15 sections looked really good all full of big steeps and rock walls with a man made log section to finish up on 15.

“Saturday morning it was really wet as the rain had set in over night, I had a good start time with a few of the top riders in front to be able to watch the lines they were using which was helpful.

“My first lap was a bit shaky and I wasn’t feeling the best on the bike, things started going much better going into the second lap, improved on a few of the harder sections.

I finished the day in 7th place equaling my best finish in the WTC last year, but I wasn’t happy with my consistency in my riding and was a little disappointed in the result.

“Sunday morning the sections had dried out a lot and again I had a good start time amongst the top five European riders, was feeling really good on the bike, and was cleaning some of the sections I wasn’t getting through on Saturday.

“My scores were much lower over the day and I was much more competitive with the top riders in the class.

“After another big day of riding some really big sections I finally got my first top five finish in the World Championship, I was happy to have finished 5th but was frustrating to see how close second place was.

“A massive thanks to all the hundreds of Kiwis who made the trip over and for shouting words of encouragement along the way, Darryl and Estelle Boorer, my minder Nick for all his efforts and support along with his family, Mum and Dad and my partner Georgina.”

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