Watch the start to this year’s Bel Ray Cross-country Series, the opening round staged on farmland east of Huntly on Sunday.

BikesportNZ.com was there to record the event … see video clip below … watch out for Michael Phillips’ shocking start in the senior race. Remarkably, he went from dead last to finish the two-hour race fourth overall.

Mokau’s Adrian Smith won the senior race, while Te Kuiti’s Sean Kelly won the 90-minute junior race held earlier in the day.

The remaining three rounds after last weekend’s opener are set for January 12, February 9 and March 8.

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