Hundreds of riders showed up to tackle the third and final round of the 2024 Forestland Cross-country Series halfway between Taupo and Tokoroa on Saturday.
With rain forecast, but not really eventuating until late in the day, the conditions were perfect, although it did still require great mental and physical strength for the many who raced the forestry course at Ohakuri.
At the end of the two-hour senior race it was an extremely close three-way fight to the finish line – the trio arriving at the chequered flag within two seconds of one another – with Taupo’s Wil Yeoman winning by just one second from Papakura’s Ryan Hayward, with New Plymouth’s Sam Parker a scant one second further back in third.
It was perhaps the closest finish ever seen at one of these events and a testimony to the riding skills of all three riders on the course that became increasingly rough with each passing lap.
For the series overall, it was Yeoman in first, with Hayward second and current national cross-country champion and last year’s Forestland Series winner Callum Dudson, from Rotorua – who was fourth in Saturday’s final race – clinching third spot overall for 2024.
Meanwhile, best of the Intermediate grade riders this season was Thames rider Marcus Greenwood, with Stratford’s Duane Calvert-Strachan and Otorohanga’s Luke Brown rounding out the top three.
In the 90-minute Junior grade race held that morning, it was Ngaruawahia’s Bailey Babington who took the win, followed across the line by Masterton’s Harvey Williams, with Rotorua’s Hadlee Fowler claiming third spot.
Hastings rider Duke Shanley (Suzuki DRZ125), overall winner of the mini grade (7-11 trail bike class) in this season’s Forestland Cross-country Series near Tokoroa and Taupo. Shanley finished 1-1-1 over the three rounds. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
It was enough for Babington to also win the series overall in the junior ranks, followed by Williams and Fowler.
Winner of the battle-within-a-battle for 85cc bike class riders overall in this series was Rotorua’s Dominic Spanbroek, with New Plymouth’s Cooper Klemra and Huntly’s Asher Sattrup rounding out the top three.
Mangakino’s Grace Harcourt best of the novice women for this series, with Te Awamutu’s Jai Gibson (7-11 MX, pictured above) and Hastings’ Duke Shanley (7-11 Trail) the top-performed mini grade riders.
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, August 17 (followed by trail ride on August 18).
© Words and photos by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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