Experienced Negus earns bonus

Cameron Negus knows there's simply no better way to have fun than passing the chequered flag first.

The Rotorua 32-year-old did just that during yesterday's second round of the North Island Cross Country Motocross championships at Mamaku.

"I don't ride as much any more ... I solely do it for fun now - getting a result is a bonus and good for my local sponsors," a drained Negus told the Daily Post.

He had just completed six laps of the fast course (about 35km) on John Sharlin's property to head Te Awamutu's Mark Penny by just 32 seconds after 3:23:29 hours on the bike. New Plymouth's Adrian Smith finished third.

It was the first time Negus - a New Zealand representative at the six day Enduro last year in Taupo - had won this sapping event.

"You just can't train for this - I don't have the time; I have a young family and farm to look after," said the husband to Pip and father of two.

Negus has been riding competitively for about 20 years and credits the great support he receives from long-time local sponsors Patterson and O'Connor, AT Cook Contracting, Price Right Parts, Conning Signs and Beaurepaires for keeping him in the game.

He also coaches with one of his charges: John Phillips, coming through to take out the junior race yesterday.

Phillips headed Jason Price and Charles Alabaster for the overall junior honours and will race in Western Heights High School's huge multi sport event this weekend.

Negus had led through the first four laps of the senior race but having to refuel his two-stroke Yamaha YZ250 bike every lap allowed Penny, on a four-stroke Suzuki RMZ250 which carried more fuel, to slip in front with two laps to go.

While Negus believes he's not as fit as many of the other riders these days, he does have a bundle of experience which he drew on.

"The last two laps were all about mental toughness," he said.

He chased Penny down and when the visiting rider "dropped" his bike in a technical section Negus flew by and recorded his fastest lap of the day: just a shade over 32 minutes. He averaged 33.57 for his six laps.

* North Island Cross Country Motocross Championships at Mamaku: Senior: C Negus 3.23.39 (1), M Penny 3.24.11 (2), A Smith 3.27.33 (3). Junior: J Phillips 1.34.38 (1), J Price 1.34.39 (2), C Alabaster 1.40.22 (3).