The weekend’s fifth annual Korito Technical Matrix (KTM) near Egmont Village again proved to be a popular event, even after the wet weather bomb that had landed on the region the previous day.
Our photos really don’t do justice in trying to illustrate just how tough it was in places, but we’re sure you’ll get some idea from our little gallery below.
The KTM event (not to be confused with the bike brand designation) is a cross-pollination between the bike codes … moto trials, cross-country, enduro and motocross and it certainly offered testing elements from all these codes.
Tough, moderate or just a little bit easier, the course options were entirely up to the individuals and, although riders were classified as Gold, Silver or Bronze grade, it really only mattered what lap time could be achieved by each individual competitor.
New Plymouth 12-year-old Abe Herbert rode bravely and with style at Monday’s Korito Technical Matrix event in Taranaki … until mechanical problems halted his progress after just one lap. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
The tricky part was deciding on the risk-versus-reward factor, whether to take the easier-but-longer route or to take the much shorter but incredibly more difficult pathway and riders, regardless of their actual ability could decide the best pathway for themselves.
The gruelling race surely sorted the men from the boys, the chequered flag going out when the first Gold grade rider had completed the multi-lap course.
The event was sponsored by Johnston’s Moto of Inglewood, Egmont Industrial Suppliers and Hunger Contracting.
© Words and photos by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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New Plymouth’s Aiden Appert in action on Waitangi Day Monday. He finished runner-up in the Bronze Grade at this event in 2021, but this year he tackled the Silver Grade and getting stuck on a muddy slope and losing a lot of time cost him dearly this time around. He finished the 2022 event 12th overall in the Silver Grade. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
New Plymouth’s Sam Parker, a noted cross-country exponent at national level, seemed equally at home on the tricky Korito Technical Matrix course on Monday. He finished 6th overall in the Gold Grade. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
New Plymouth’s Matt Foster Event launches his trials bike up a steep concrete face in the Matrix segment of Monday’s Korito Technical Matrix event in Taranaki. He finished overall runner-up in the Gold Grade. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
New Plymouth’s Kerry Rearden has a spot of bother to deal with in the Matrix section of Monday’s fifth annual Korito Technical Matrix event. He picked himself up and still managed to finish a creditable 4th overall in the Bronze Grade. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Te Kuiti’s Thomas Cooper surges along a flooded stream bed on his way to finishing runner-up in the Silver Grade on Monday. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Te Awamutu’s Phil Gibson slithers down a muddy bank during Monday’s Korito Technical Matrix event in Taranaki. He finished runner-up in the Bronze Grade. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
New Plymouth’s Troy Herbert uses a bit of body English to manoeuvre out of the rocky stream bed and onto solid, but slippery, soil. He finished 7th in the Silver Grade. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com