Wellington’s Jake Whitaker earned a record-equalling seventh national title at the three-day New Zealand Moto Trials Championships in the Bay of Plenty over Labour Weekend.

Rocks, tree roots, creek beds and steep hills … mere judder bars on the path to another national title for the 20-year-old Whitaker, whose victory put him level in the history books with Napier’s Warren Laugesen.

Kiwi international Whitaker arrived as heavy favourite and proceeded to dominate the Expert Grade completion, although he did uncharacteristically drop a swag of points over the three days of riding near Te Puke.

“I dropped a point on day one and that really annoyed me because it was the easiest day of the three,” said Whitaker. “It was just a stupid lapse in concentration and I was forced to put my foot down on slippery rocks in a river bed.”

It got even tougher after that and Whitaker dropped 11 points on Sunday and another 10 on Monday.

“The sections were a lot tougher this year than what they usually are and that’s actually a good thing because it’s supposed to be tough, it’s the national championships. Although I was kind of hoping to make it clean through the three days like I did last year.”

In the end, Whitaker eclipsed Motueka’s Karl Clark, Nelson’s Nick Oliver, Rotorua’s John Haynes and New Plymouth’s Matt Foster on his way to retaining his Expert Grade crown for a seventh consecutive time.

The A Grade competition turned into a battle between Tauranga’s Jacob Gundry and Howick’s Liam Draper, with Gundry emerging on top, ahead of Draper and Wellington’s Carl Robson. Gundry doubled up to also tackle the Junior grade and it came as no surprise that he won this title as well, finishing ahead of Te Puke’s Ben McLeod.

Motueka Daniel Clark won the Intermediate grade from Kaikoura’s David Trewin; Nelson’s Stephen Oliver dominated the Presidents’ grade; Dunedin’s Gavin Fox won the Clubmans’ class; Tauranga’s Gabby Gundry was crowned women’s champion and Te Puke’s Paul McLeod celebrated winning the Twin Shock division.

Balance, bravery and throttle control is the main emphasis for this unique motorcycle competition. Speed is not essential, with the prime aim instead being to conquer extreme terrain without touching feet on the ground or falling off. Points are lost for these “faults” and a rider with the lowest score wins.

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