The ultimate level of the sport of moto trials returns to the Taranaki region for the first time in 10 years when the regions hosts the nationals over Labour Weekend.

The Farmlands Motorcycling New Zealand 2015 New Zealand Moto Trials Championship will be held at three separate venues in Taranaki over three days, from October 24-26, with each course expected to push competitors to the limits, testing to the utmost their abilities to scale obstacles without either “dabbing” their feet on the ground, going outside the strictly-marked course, stalling their engines or crashing.

Points are deducted for these “faults”.

Unlike many other forms of motorcycling competitions, the emphasis with moto trials is not on speed, but rather on throttle control, balance and being able to read the extreme terrain put before them.

With Britain’s defending Kiwi champion Jack Sheppard not making the trip Downunder this season, it perhaps opens the door for seven-time former New Zealand champion Jake Whitaker, of Wainuiomata, to re-assert his authority on the sport in this part of the world.

The 24-year-old Whitaker, also a former Australian champion, should be too slick for expert grade rivals such as Taranaki’s Matt Foster, Tauranga’s Jacob Gundry, Rotorua’s John Haynes and Nelson’s Nick Oliver, but this sport has a habit of tripping up the unwary and, with Whitaker perhaps distracted over recent months as he branched out to try his skills in various other off-road biking activities, it may be time for an upset.

Whitaker, of course, has other ideas.

“I have not been riding my moto trials bike much lately, so that may place me at a bit of a disadvantage, but I’m stronger and fitter than before, thanks to my riding cross-country and enduro events.

“There are no European professionals to deal with this time around, so I’m feeling pretty confident,” he said.

“Hopefully I can win again and make it an eighth national moto trials crown … that would be a record,” said Whitaker, whose national title tally is level with Hawke’s Bay’s Warren Laugesen, a rider who is not competing this weekend.

“I won this event for the first time in 2007, as a 15-year-old, and it has stood the hairs up on the back of my neck ever since,” said Whitaker.

The intermediate grade is always hotly contested and this year Manawatu rider Kevin Pinfold is at the top of the table in the North Island Championship, giving him the edge, although he will have to hold off strong challenges from Christchurch-based South Island Champion Glenn Smith and Opunake rider Andrew Clement, who is always a threat.

In the presidents’ grade, it looks set to be a battle between Tauranga’s Warwick Merriman, Nelson’s Stephen Oliver and up-and-coming Wellington rider Dylan Ball, who recently won the 7-13 years’ title in Australia.

Because of his youth, Ball is not eligible for the presidents’ title, but the tougher sections will be useful training for him as he looks to a bright future in the sport.

Day one on Saturday is set for Upper Durham Road, Inglewood. Day two will be held at Korito Road, Egmont Village, and day three will be held at Wiremu Road, Opunake.

Action begins each day at about 10am and spectator entry is free.

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

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