BATTLE FOR TOP HONOURS BETWEEN CHAMPION RIDERS

Round one of the 2024 edition of the Forestland Cross-country Series is in the bag after an exciting opener just south of Tokoroa on Saturday.

It probably came as a surprise to nobody that the main contenders to emerge at the Tar Hill forestry venue were all former or current national cross-country racing champions.

Oparau’s James Scott, the national cross-country champion in 2022; Taupo’s Brad Groombridge, the national cross-country champion three times, in 2016, 2017 and 2018; Taupo’s national cross-country champion from 2023, Wil Yeoman; and the just-crowned national cross-country champion for 2024, Rotorua’s Callum Dudson, were all fighting for the win on Saturday.

In the end, it was Scott who prevailed, winning the two-hour senior race by nearly two minutes from Groombridge, with Yeoman completing the podium and Papakura’s Ryan Hayward and then Dudson rounding out the top five.

Best of the Intermediate grade riders was Havelock North’s Luke McBeth (pictured here), who finished an impressive 29th overall in the 57-rider senior field.

In the 90-minute Junior grade race held that morning, Whangaparoa’s Nathan Refoy emerged on top, finishing ahead of Ngaruawahia’s Bailey Babington and Rotorua’s Hadlee Fowler. Winner of the race-within-a-race for 85cc bike class riders was Matamata’s Levi Rodgers, with Mangakino’s Grace Harcourt best of the novice women and Te Awamutu’s Jai Gibson the best-performed mini grade rider.

The series will now take riders to a similarly tricky forest course at Ohakuri, about halfway between Tokoroa and Taupo, for rounds two and three, on June 15 and July 13 respectively (with separate trail rides again planned for the Sunday in each case).

The Forestland Cross-country Series is supported by Forbes and Davies, Kiwi Rider magazine, Forest Trail Events, Satco Logging Equipment, O’Neal apparel, Ogio bags, Arai helmets, Metzeler tyres, Muc-Off by Motomuck, USWE, Maxi Grip, Maxima Oils, Blur and Husqvarna motorcycles.