Two class wins, both from riders on debut … it couldn’t have gone much better for Husaberg and KTM at this year’s big Tarawera 100 cross-country marathon near Kawerau on Saturday.

But it did, with Husaberg rider Natasha Cairns (pictured at left), from Thames, also winning her class for an impressive third time.

Injury prevented Atiamuri’s Hadleigh Knight (CMR Red Bull KTM 250F) from making his eagerly-awaited debut at this iconic off-road race last season, but the 16-year-old more than made up for that disappointment on Saturday, battling his way through to an incredible fourth overall out of 179 starters and, significantly, first in the under-19 years’ class.

“I was close behind (eventual overall winner) Ben Townley on the first lap and I couldn’t believe it,” said Knight.

“I backed off near the end because I could see anyone in front of me or anyone behind but that’s now a regret I have. If I’d kept pushing hard, I might have ended on the podium.

“But I was starting to make mistakes because I was tired. I had to back off the pace or risk not finishing at all.”

In similar fashion, Auckland’s Liam Draper (pictured, at right) tasted success in his first attempt at the Tarawera 100, taking his Husaberg TE125 to 13th overall and winning the under-200cc class in the process.

The moto trials exponent, now making the transition to enduro and cross-country racing, said it was important to him to enter more events like this to “get up to speed”.

“Sometimes it can be a bit scary, because we were going pretty quick out there today, but that’s the reason why I’m here, to get experience.”

Meanwhile, Coromandel rider Cairns also enjoyed success with her Husaberg TE125. She finished 63rd overall and won the women’s category.

“On the first lap I didn’t think I was doing that well. But when I went through the timing zone and told I was doing okay, I relaxed and rode better,” said the 28-year-old Cairns.

“I’m always nervous on the first lap, but I guess it’s healthy to be a little nervous. You don’t want to get complacent.”

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