He put up a great fight, but unfortunately Rotorua’s Cameron Negus has had to pull the pin on continuing his 2012 season’s New Zealand Motocross Championships series.

The oldest rider in the dual-title 125cc and under-21 years’ category, the 37-year-old Negus obviously not eligible for the Under-21 section of the competition, but he was a contender for 125cc honours.

That was until the third round of four at Pukekohe last weekend.

Negus (Husqvarna CR125) had been running third overall after two rounds, although still 35 points behind the No.2-ranked rider, 15-year-old Cameron Vaughan (Yamaha), of Rotorua and 45 points behind the championship leader, Amberley 16-year-old Micah McGoldrick (KTM).

But a horror day at Pukekohe last Sunday put an end to any hopes Negus had of consolidating or improving upon his position.

Negus finished third and sixth in his early races at Pukekohe and was running seventh in the third and final outing of the day when disaster struck.

“A bit of track marker bunting had come loose and was blowing in the wind,” he explained.

“It caught on my rear wheel and, unfortunately it still had the wooden peg attached. It stopped the wheel. Next minute I was crashing to the ground and gasping for breath. I’ve now got broken ribs and compressed vertebrae in my back.

“I’ve put in a big effort this year and it’s sad to DNF that last race. I’m out for quite a few weeks now.

“These young guys in the class are very fast and improving all the time. It’s great to see the next generation coming through and developing.

“The new Husqvarna CR125 is a really good bike. It is a brilliant design and great technology. It has been great to have had the opportunity to ride one.”

The fourth and final round of the series is set for Taupo on March 18.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com