He may be a privateer rider with a nine-to-five job to hold down during the week, but Taupo’s Brad Groombridge is still managing to defy the odds and humble a few of the professional riders visiting from overseas.

The 23-year-old – a refrigeration engineer during the week but racing for the high-profile Bel Ray Pro Rider Suzuki Team at the weekends – produced another courageous display of riding at the third round of four in this year’s New Zealand Motocross Championships near Pukekohe on Sunday.

Groombridge took his RM-Z450 to finish overall runner-up to Mount Maunganui’s defending national MX1 champion Cody Cooper (The Honda Shop Racing Team) at Pukekohe on Sunday, his 2-5-3 results enough for the Suzuki ace to eclipse Scottish former Grand Prix star Billy MacKenzie (Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team) as well as 20 or so more of the best big bike riders from all across the country.

Groombridge also finished the day ahead of Australian motocross professionals Kirk Gibbs (KTM), Matty Haworth (Kawasaki) and Ford Dale (KTM) and he now moves up to occupy the No.3 spot in the championship standings with just the fourth and final round left to be raced.

Significantly, that series finale will be on Groombridge’s home turf at Taupo, racing set for a fortnight’s time on March 22, and there he expects he could push for a race win or two.

He showed glimpses of that potential at Pukekohe at the weekend and his team manager, multi-time former national motocross champion Andrew Hardisty was all smiles at the end of the weekend.

“It was another trough day for motocross racing,” agreed Hardisty. “We had a couple of highs and a couple of lows but Brad (Groombridge) put in a huge effort to minimise those losses and gain valuable points on our opposition in the MX1 class.

“We’ll take these points to the ‘bank’ and see if our ‘deposit’ pays off at the final round.

The final round is on Brad’s home track and he knows that place very well. He is sure to put on a huge display for his many home fans.

“Brad is essentially a privateer rider, but he’s really taking it to the pros. It is inspiring stuff to watch him push them and even beat them.

“It is also a testament to the power and strength of the Suzuki RM-Z450 to put him in that position.”

Groombridge and his 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.

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

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Full story and more photos in your next issue of KIWI RIDER magazine.

Full results HERE, thanks to Nicole Bol and the team at MX Timing.