Round three of the MotoSR-sponsored New Zealand Grand National Cross-country (GNCC) series was held at the weekend with the competition celebrating its third different winner in as many events.
Beautiful weather and perfect riding conditions had riders super excited and the racing mirrored that with close and exhilarating racing on the course at Burt’s Farm near Matata.
Whanganui’s Seth Reardon had won the GNCC series opener at Taikorea, near Palmerston North, in July, while series founder Paul Whibley won round two in the Woodhill Forest, west of Auckland, in September.
However, at the weekend it was the turn for a third individual to claim the top honours in the senior grade, Rotorua’s Callum Dudson and he now takes the series lead overall.
But first things first and it was the junior grade that got the event underway with their race first on the programme.
Ryan Hayward is stamping his authority on the Junior 125 class. After missing the first round, he was making up ground quickly. Taking another win, his second in a row. Daniel Bates took second on the day but still leads the series overall with his consistent podium finishes. New Plymouth rider Josh Houghton came home in third. Zach Davey continues to lead the way on his Suzuki in the Minis class.
On the Senior race, Richard Sutton fired up his YZ250 the quickest and grabbed the holeshot and lead the way into the pine forest. But when they emerged again 20 minutes later it was Ethan Harris who came through scoring first. Ethan had a little gap on Ashton Grey in second and Dudson in third.
As the race continued it looked like Harris was fully in control out front.
Dudson pushed into second and dropped Grey back to third. It looked like this was going to be the order for the race, but as they say “it ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings”.
Harris blew a berm and went over a bank on the second to last lap, losing minutes getting back on track. Honda rider Dudson was in position to capitalise on the mistake and snapped up the lead and rode it in to take the win. Harris pushed hard on the final lap but couldn’t make up for his mistake and had to settle for second and Grey put in a solid ride for third.
Round four of the MotoSR GNCC Series makes a welcome return to Maddix Park, just out of Tauranga, on Saturday, November 21.
© Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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