Auckland motorcycle ace Callan May is enjoying a sensational debut season of cross-country racing in the United States.

The 21-year-old electrician from Titirangi took his Kiwi Rider BikesportNZ.com Yamaha YZ250F to seventh overall in the XC2 Pro Lites class at the third round of 13 in the Grand National Cross-country Championships (GNCC) in Morganton, North Carolina, at the weekend.

The riders  were again battling horrendous conditions as rain turned the course into something of a lottery, but the former New Zealand (under-200cc two-stroke class in 2012 and under-300cc four-stroke class in 2013) enduro champion was in his element after years of racing top-level enduro events in the New Zealand winter.

“We arrived on Saturday morning to the track as the rain decided to come in and pour down all day. The track consisted of a few decent hills, river crossings and lots of ruts,” said May.

“We woke up on Sunday to no rain but a cold wind coming through, the rain held off all day but delayed the start of our race because the morning race riders where finding it difficult to make it around the course. After a bit of bull-dozing on the track it was time to race.

“I didn’t get a good start by any means … I was one of the last off the line in fact. Once I battled through terrible arm pump, I was able to start making my way through the pack.

“After lots of good lines were pointed out to me by the Yamaha crew scattered around the track, I found myself in ninth place going into the last lap with two other riders in sight of me just ahead,” said May.

“I put my head down and rode hard, managed to come home in seventh overall in the XC2 class, so I was happy with that.”

That result meant May was able to maintain his position at sixth overall in the series rankings.

The day didn’t go so well for two other Kiwi heroes who were also in the Morganton race.

Pahiatua’s two-time former GNCC champion Paul Whibley (Yamaha YZ450F) struck mechanical problems halfway through the race and slipped back to finish an unaccustomed 179th, though he was still credited with 15th overall in the XC1 grade.

Wellington rider Rory Mead suffered a last-lap crash and was immediate flown off to hospital where he underwent surgery overnight.

Mead had been leading the XC2 class before the weekend’s crash.

May is supported by Yamaha Motor New Zealand, Kiwi Rider magazine, BikesportNZ.com, MotoSR, Golden Tyres, Fox, Graphic Creation, GYTR and Yamalube.

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

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FMF Steele Creek GNCC, Morganton, N.C.

Round 3 of 13

XC1 Event Results:

1.      Kailub Russell (KTM)

2.      Charlie Mullins (KTM)

3.      Josh Strang (YAM)

4.      Thad Duvall (HON)

5.      Steward Baylor (KTM)

6.      Jordan Ashburn (YAM)

7.      Andrew Delong (HSQ)

8.      Chris Bach (HON)

9.      Ryan Sipes (KTM)

10.    Takeshi Koikeda (HON)

 

*Overall National Championship Standings:

1.      Charlie Mullins (70)

2.      Kailub Russell (67)

3.      Josh Strang (58)

4.      Jordan Ashburn (50)

5.      Steward Baylor (44)

6.      Paul Whibley (43)

7.      Grant Baylor (38)

8.      Thad Duvall (36)

9.      Trevor Bollinger (34)

10.    Ricky Russell (33)

*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2014 National Champion.

 

XC2 Event Results:

1.      Trevor Bollinger (HON)

2.      Ricky Russell (YAM)

3.      Grant Baylor (KTM)

4.      Layne Michael (HON)

5.      Chris Douglas (KTM)

6.      Shane Hufford Jr (KTM)

7.      Callan May (YAM, New Zealand)

8.      Ryan Lojak (YAM)

9.      Jesse Groemm (KTM)

10.    Sam Evans (YAM)

 

XC2 Series Standings:

1.      Trevor Bollinger (69)

2.      Ricky Russell (68)

3.      Grant Baylor (66)

4.      Rory Mead (56)

5.      Shane Hufford Jr (52)

6.      Callan May (41)

7.      Layne Michael (33)

8.      Chris Douglas (32)

9.      Sam Evans (31)

10.    Ryan Lojak (28)