GROOMED TO WIN | Bikesportnz

Taupo’s Brad Groombridge has scratched off another big win as he begins his hunt for the New Zealand MX1 motocross crown this summer.

The Bel Ray Pro Rider Suzuki Team rider dominated the premier MX1 grade at the big annual Valley Motocross Championships at Patetonga, near Morrinsville, at the weekend, racing his way to an unbeaten string of three wins on the rutted, clay track.

His overall victory on Sunday follows on from the dominance he enjoyed at other major events before Christmas, when he teamed with Hawera Suzuki legend Daryl Hurley to win the big annual Suzuki Six-Hour endurance race near Tokoroa in October and then won the MX1 class at the annual Labour Weekend Motocross Extravaganza in Taupo three weeks later.

Groombridge reverted to cross-country mode again to take his RM-Z450 and ride solo against two-rider teams, smashing all-comers at the annual Acerbis Four-hour endurance race near Taupo in November.

He also won the MX1 class at the Auckland Motocross Championships in November.

The BikesportNZ.com-supported rider shared race wins with Mount Maunganui’s national MX1 champion Cody Cooper at the annual Whakatane Summercross just after Christmas, that rain-affected event cut back to just two races for each class as deep and clinging mud turned the track near Matata into a quagmire.

Groombridge’s flawless performance in the Thames Valley at the weekend placed him solidly atop the podium once more.

The New Zealand Motocross Championships are set to kick off near Timaru next month and the 23-year-old Groombridge believes he is just starting to hit his straps at the right time.

His hat-trick of wins on Sunday were against impressive competition, although while Hamilton’s Jesse Wiki, Atiamuri’s Dion Picard and Waitakere’s Ethan Martens were on the pace, they couldn’t catch the Suzuki ace.

“Things are looking good. I’ve been working hard and now I can’t wait for the nationals to come around,” said Groombridge.

“I feel good on the bike and the bike’s performing brilliantly. I just need to keep the ball rolling.”

Matakohe’s Hamish Dobbyn scored a hat-trick of wins to dominate the MX2 class on Sunday and Hamilton’s Josiah Natzke was similarly impressive in recording a hat-trick of wins in the senior 125cc class.

Hat-trick heroes were also to be found in the junior racing the previous day, where Ngatea’s Benjamin Broad (15-16 years’ 125/250 class), Matamata’s Brodie Connolly (8-11 years’ 85cc class) and Ohinewai’s Angus Evans (mini 65cc class) each produced three perfect scores.

Connolly doubled up to also win the 12-16 years’ 85cc class with a 1-3-1 scoreline, while Onewhero’s Jayden Turnwald finished 1-2-1 to claim the 12-14 years’ 125/250 class ahead of Taupo’s Wyatt Chase.

The Bel-Ray Pro Rider Suzuki team is supported by Suzuki New Zealand, Moto City – www.motocity.co.nz, Bel-Ray Lubricants, Suzuki Team Pro Rider, Pirelli Tyres, DRC, Braking, Renthal, Yoshimura, O’Neal Racewear, Oakley, Zeta, Epic Decals, The Rock radio, Dirt Rider Downunder, NGK, HiFlo Filtro, BikesportNZ.com and Taupo Diesel Solutions.

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