The 2024 edition of the popular Forestland Cross-country Series surged past the halfway mark in treacherous conditions north-west of Taupo on Saturday.
The two men who battled for top senior honours at round one (Oparau’s James Scott and Taupo’s Brad Groombridge) were both no-shows at round two at Ohakuri yesterday, leaving the way clear for a handful of others to battle for glory in conditions that could be generously described as extremely challenging.
Heavy rain the previous day had completely drenched the forest course and deep pools, bogs and slippery tree roots awaited the nearly 200 riders who did show up, the juniors tackling a 90-minute slog in the morning and the seniors enduring a gruelling two-hours of racing in the afternoon.
Taranaki’s Sam Parker snatched the lead at the start of the senior race, until he was overtaken on the opening lap by Taupo’s national cross-country champion from 2023, Wil Yeoman, and that’s how it ended up at the end of the two hours, with the just-crowned national cross-country champion for 2024, Rotorua’s Callum Dudson, completing the senior podium.
Forestland Cross-country Series organiser Sean Clarke lays down the law during rider’s briefing. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Kiwi international Tommy Buxton, from Helensville, but who has been racing for the past few seasons in Europe and now Australia, finished fourth overall, with Papakura’s Ryan Hayward rounding out the top five.
In the 90-minute Junior grade race held that morning, Masterton’s Harvey Williams emerged on top, finishing ahead of Otorohanga’s Max De Malmanie and Ngaruawahia’s Bailey Babington, with Rotorua’s Hadlee Fowler and Dannevirke’s James Joblin (who took the junior race holeshot) rounding out the top five.
Winner of the race-within-a-race for 85cc bike class riders was Rotorua’s Dominic Spanbroek, with Mangakino’s Grace Harcourt best of the novice women and Helensville’s Eli Hankins the top-performed mini grade rider.
The series will return riders to the same venue at Ohakuri, about halfway between Tokoroa and Taupo, for the third and final round on July 13 (with separate trail ride again planned for the Sunday).
Taupo’s Wil Yeoman, winner of the two-hour senior race on Saturday. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
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.
2024 Forestland Cross-country Series calendar:
Round 1, Tar Hill, 12km south of Tokoroa, Saturday, May 25 (followed by a vinduro – a vintage bike enduro – and trail ride on May 26);
Round 2, Ohakuri, between Taupo and Tokoroa, Saturday, June 15 (followed by trail ride on June 16);
Round 3, Ohakuri, Saturday, July 13 (followed by trail ride on July 14).
Additional trail ride set for Ohakuri on August 18.
© Words and photos by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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Trouble and strife in the depths of the forest. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Gisborne’s Angus Thomas, who finished third overall in the junior grade (12-15 years’ 200cc two-stroke class) on Saturday.
Thames rider Natasha Cairns (KTM No.288), in the middle of a traffic jam at the start of the senior grade race on Saturday. She was the best-performed of the women, finishing 53rd overall in the main two-hour race. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Helensville’s Eli Hankins, overall winner of the mini grade race on Saturday. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Taupiri’s Fergus Fulton, on his way to finishing fourth overall in the junior grade (12-15 years’ 200cc two-stroke class) on Saturday.
Wellington’s Maxton Whitaker, on track to finish 19th overall in the mini grade race on Saturday. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com