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EIGHTY riders braved a wintry day and heavy track for the Gisborne BMX Club’s round of the central region winter series. Sixty of the riders were visitors, which meant awesome racing.
StridersDamien Smith was joined by a speedy Avani Bourne from Rotorua for five motos. As Avani raced off, Damien was slowly getting used to his bike.
Five and underThree Gisborne riders battled it out in this group, Brad O’Connell-Bacon leading the way, followed by Asher Nepia-Anderson who had two wins. Third-placed Anna Spence showed great improvement.
Six-year-oldsRotorua’s NZ2 Aidan Dods raced off to five wins from five starts, leaving Taupo’s Hunter Ward, Nixon Pointon and Riley Burley battling for the minor placings. Reave Nepia-Anderson led home fellow Gisborne riders Jorga Rogers and Liam Spence.
Seven-year-old boysDaniel Mason of Tauranga, with four wins, was the rider to beat, but Reagan Morgan of Auckland kept him honest and won the first race. Cohen Bourne (Rotorua) and Ashar McKnight (Gisborne) rounded out the group.
Nine-year-oldsGisborne’s NZ2 Matt Hills had five good battles with NI2 Tyler Waite (Hawke’s Bay) and former clubmate NZ4 Bennett Sargison (Taupo). Bailey Barbarich-Camer (Gisborne) headed home NI8 Hannah Mason (Tauranga) and NZ7 Aliyah Lardelli (Gisborne), who did well racing up a class.
Ten-year-old boysWill Skipper (Rotorua) had five wins ahead of Adam Corney (Tauranga), Caleb Morgan (Auckland) and Nathan Childs (Tauranga), who had a good battle of their own. Zachary Arnold (Tauranga) and Jett Rendle (Hawke’s Bay) rounded out the group.
Twelve-year-old girlsNZ1 Megan Williams of Rotorua led home clubmate Caitlyn Flavell over their five motos. Gisborne’s Ruby-Anne Smith was third in class ahead of NI6 Tayla Arnold, Eesha Freemantle and Eden Pointon, all of Tauranga.
Thirteen-year-old boysKarepa Heke Kaiawha (Tauranga) narrowly led home former Gisborne club member Benjamin McManus (Tauranga) as the two riders had five close motos,
Luca Rendle (HB) was the best of the chasing bunch, ahead of Hamish Malcolm (Rotorua). Josh Phillips (Gisborne) and Rylee Gaskill-Magee (Taupo).
Sixteen-year-old boysFormer Gisborne club member James McManus (Tauranga) led home Zach Patterson (Rotorua) and another former Gisborne rider, Jono Sargison (Taupo). This trio put on some wicked close racing. Bailey Punter, and Dylan and Joshua Lardelli rounded out the group.
Seventeen-to-29-year womenGemma Hills was too fast overall for Krystal Smith, although the latter won Race 2. Kate McCosh had a good afternoon, out in third place ahead of Lela Punter (Rotorua).
Thirty-to-39-year men, 20-inch wheelJustin Nepia (Gisborne) used his local knowledge on the tricky track to head home Adam Freemantle (Tauranga) and Hawke’s Bay duo Jason Waite (three wins) and Bevan Pollock.
Forty-year-plus women, Cruiser classNZ2 Kylie Sargison (Taupo) was too quick for new riders Kyla Newton (Gisborne) and Karla Bourne (Rotorua).
Thirty-year-plus men, Cruiser classLike Kylie, husband Scott Sargison was too fast for fellow competitors Troy Greaves (Gisborne) and Richard Dods (Rotorua).
JUNIOR SUPER CLASSTwelve keen fast riders signed up for the three junior super class races. These were mixed races in which the girls gave the boys a hurry-up. This class was run over two heats for each round.
Karepa Heke Kaiawha ended up top, with three moto wins, but Megan Williams was only one point behind with two wins and a second. Will Skipper took the only other win and posted two second placings. Gisborne rider Ruby-Anne Smith was the only local in this group of young speedsters, placing seventh overall.
Placings were: Karepa Heke Kaiawha 1; Megan Williams 2; Will Skipper 3; Luca Rendle 4; Adam Corney 5; Caitlin Flavell 6; Ruby-Anne Smith 7; Nathan Childs 8; Caleb Morgan 9; Zachary Arnold 10; Tayla Arnold 11; Rylee Gaskill-Magee 12.
Intermediate Super ClassZach Patterson got the better of James McManus in the super class, with three wins. James had a good battle with Jono Sargison, with the two former clubmates finishing in this order.
Senior Super ClassDylan Lardelli had saved his effort for the senior super class, and gained two wins and a second. Gemma Hills came away in second place, ahead of Jason Waite. Krystal Smith came home a close fourth overall.
The next round of the central region winter series is scheduled for Tauranga on August 7.