The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed another major sporting casualty, New Zealand’s immensely-popular Dirt Guide Cross-country Series.
It was 15-year-old Sam Parker (Husqvarna), from New Plymouth, and Taupo’s Hadleigh Knight (Yamaha) who led their respective junior and senior classes after two of the scheduled three rounds had been completed in July and everyone was looking forward to the third and final round, set to be run in August.
Whangamata’s Ethan Jamieson (Husqvarna) led the intermediate class overall after two rounds and Taupiri’s Fergus Felton (Kawasaki) topped the mini ranks.
But then when significant parts of the country went into lock-down in the government’s attempt to curb the pandemic, it meant many of the event regulars would be unable to continue to compete and vast detours would perhaps have had to be made by riders from other regions just to reach the forestry venue south of Tokoroa.
So, after much serious consideration by organiser Sean Clarke, it has been decided to cancel the final round and therefore declare it a wrap after the early two rounds.
“Forest Trail Events have decided to cancel the final round of the Dirt Guide cross country series and trail ride series for 2021,” said Clarke.
The separate, stand-alone trail ride event that typically runs the following day at each round will also now not go ahead.
“Results will stand from the first two rounds and the trophies will be posted out in due time.
“With the ongoing COVID pandemic, we have decided to call it quits for 2021.
“With a third of the North Island in Level 3 lock-down and the uncertainty of everything in general, we think it’s best to call it off and then reset for 2022.
“Therefore congratulations to Hadleigh Knight for winning the expert class overall, Ethan Jamieson for taking the intermediate class overall, Sam Parker for the winning the juniors and Fergus Felton for winning the minis overall.”
Please check HERE for standings after round two of the Dirt Guide series.
“We are really looking to our next planned event, the Dirt Guide 8-Hour at Oparau on April 23-24, 2022,” said Clarke.
“Hopefully the country will be in a better situation by then and we can just get on with everything.”
The Dirt Guide Series was sponsored by Michelin, Bel Ray, Renthal, O’Neal, DRC, Zeta, Kiwi Rider magazine, Oakley goggles, Ogio, TCX boots, Yoshimura, BikesportNZ.com, Forest Trail Events and SatCo Logging Equipment.
© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
Find BikesportNZ.com on FACEBOOK here