Riders take on must-do event

TOP THREE AT TARAWERA: Gisborne Motorcycle Sports Club members Duncan Summerfield (left) and Troy Andrews made the podium in the 0-200cc two-stroke class at the Tarawera 100 Cross Country Race at Te Teko last weekend. Summerfield was first and Andrews, third. Picture by Paul Rickard

IT is known in motocross circles as the “must-do” of all cross-country events.

So a small group of Gisborne riders “did” and did it well at the Tarawera 100 Cross Country Race at Te Teko last weekend.

The five-strong Gisborne contingent all finished in the top 10 of their classes. Among the placings were a win to Duncan Summerfield and a third to Troy Andrews in the 0-200cc two-stroke class.

Ashley Andrews was fourth and Malcolm Rau 10th in the super vets (40-49yrs) class, and Gerald Holden was seventh in the vets (35-39yrs) class.

A field of nearly 120 riders lined up for the 39th edition of the race on a cold Bay of Plenty morning at Te Teko, near Whakatane.

Ahead of them was 100 miles or about three and a half hours of racing — the larger part of it through forest and bushland, the rest of it across pumice-based farmland.

“Ground conditions were moist after several days of rain leading into the event,” Ashley Andrews said.

“It made farmland grass sections super-greasy with a few deep bog holes developing through some of the bush sections.

“The pumice soil quickly exposed many slippery tree roots down the narrow, tight trails. It required a lot of concentration to avoid crashing into the pines.

“There were several pile-ups within the first five minutes of the race as riders were pushing pretty hard for race space leading into the tighter bush sections.

“It was good that our Gisborne riders were able to avoid the carnage, which can often put you out of action before you’ve completed the first lap.

“It’s important to be patient and remember that it’s a three-and-a-half-hour race and the goal is to finish.”

Summerfield and Troy Andrews were duly rewarded for their patience.

“I loved the track,” Summerfield said.

“It suited me to a T. It was quite tight so it really suited my enduro background. Last year I came 12th overall, which I was very pleased with. However, due to other commitments this year, I had a lack of preparation and didn’t get quite so far up the leaderboard.”

It was the first senior event for Troy, who recently turned 15.

“I was the youngest competitor taking part,” he said.

“I had a focus on simply finishing the race as I had heard how challenging it could be, so I was really stoked when they called out my name for third (in his class).”

The results were a confidence boost for both teenagers.

“Next year I hope to get more time in on my bike leading up to the Tarawera 100 to improve on my overall placing,” said Summerfield, who was third in the expert 0-200cc two-stroke class at the enduro nationals this year.

“For the rest of the year I plan to continue to maintain my fitness and speed on the bike, and attend several races to keep me on track for the enduro nationals early in the new year.”

Troy Andrews said the race had given him confidence heading into Round 2 of the six-round national cross-country series. He is sitting 10th in his class.

Taupo’s Brad Groombridge was overall winner of the Tarawera 100.