But that’s only half the story, with the second half now to be completed over one gruelling 48-hour period.
Racing both days this weekend will again offer up a variety of obstacles and challenging terrain — fast open farmland, slower bush sections and the odd hill climb or creek crossing.
Former Wairoa rider Watts and Palmerston North’s 2015 national champion Paul Whibley share the series lead. Raglan’s Brandon Given, former Wairoa rider Lister and Taupo’s Hadleigh Knight are not far back.
Whanganui’s Seth Reardon has also been a standout during the three-hour senior races so far this season, alongside Glen Murray’s Sam Brown and Drury’s Richard Sutton, while Taupo’s Wil Yeoman, Eketahuna’s Luke Brown, Cambridge’s Bailey Morgan and Dannevirke’s Charlie Free were among the leading individuals in the 90-minute junior races at Marton and Dannevirke.
Masterton’s Max Williams has been best of the 85cc bike riders so far and he is running sixth overall in the junior grade.
It’s likely that these riders will be among the frontrunners in the South Island this weekend, although strong challenges may come from Rotorua’s Callum Dudson, Kinloch’s Quade Young, Dannevirke’s Ben Patterson and Te Kauwhata’s Jacob Brown.
Points from only the best three results from the four rounds will be counted towards the championship titles, with riders to discard their worst result. This has allowed competitors the option of making only one trip across Cook Strait.
Nelson’s Bailey Basalaj and Blake Affleck, from the South Otago town of Owaka, have been the only South Island riders to make the journey north for the earlier rounds. Basalaj is 20th overall in the senior grade and Affleck is running 19th overall in the junior grade.
The 90-minute junior race starts about 9am both days, with the three-hour senior race to follow about 11.30am.
