Taranaki’s Daryl Hurley is a world champion!

The Hawera bike shop owner and Husqvarna rider finished 1-1 in the 40 plus Pro Class to take the title at the World Veterans’ Motocross Championships at Glen Helen, in California, at the weekend.

Britain’s Kurt Nicholl was runner-up and Japan’s Kenjiro Tsuji finished third.

American “Flash” Gordon Ward, a one-time visitor to New Zealand, finished sixth, while former Kawasaki factory rider Ron Lechien was placed 11th.

New Zealand’s John Kirkcaldie placed 15th overall in the same class, with another Kiwi, Winton’s Martin Axtens, 24th.

Meanwhile, in other classes being raced as “non-scoring warm-ups for Sunday”, Gisborne’s Jonathan Edwards finished 8-8 to rank 7th overall in the 35+ Expert class; Christchurch’s Dean Baird finished 2-2 to win the 40+ Intermediate grade;  Taranaki’s Mitch Rowe finished 5-3 to claim third overall in the 45+ Experts grade, while Axtens finished 8-7 to claim 7th overall in the same grade.

New Zealand’s Daniel Evans had a mixed bag in finishing 19-DNF, 25th overall, in the 45+ Novice grade; New Plymouth’s Rowe finished 9-2, for 3rd overall, in the 50+ Expert grade, with Wellington’s Darryn Henderson finishing 5-6 for 5th overall. Evans backed up with 8-2 results in the 50+ Novice (division two) grade, good enough for 9th overall; Bay of Plenty’s Ian Conway scored 9-DNF results, for 16th overall, in the 55+ Intermediate grade; Papakura’s Tony Cooksley was unlucky to finish 3-DNF, 11th overall, in the 60+ Expert grade, while Bay of Plenty’s Julie Managh went 4-DNF, 5th overall, in the Women’s Expert grade.

Managh’s women’s class was won by 2011 women’s world champion Steffi Laier, from Germany, indicating the high calibre of riders present at the event.

Several more New Zealand riders will be competing later today, including Motueka’s Josh Coppins.

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

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