Home advantage should work for Chase

OUTSIDE CHANCE: Taupo's Wyatt Chase (Total Oils Yamaha YZ125) is ready to charge on his home track this weekend. PHOTO/ANDY MCGECHAN/BIKESPORTNZ.COM

Taupo's Wyatt Chase is hoping for big things this weekend.

Andy why not?

The 16-year-old Yamaha rider will be well inside his comfort zone when he tackles the fourth and final round of the New Zealand Motocross Championships at his home track, the Digger McEwen Motorcycle Park facility on the outskirts of Taupo, tomorrow.

He is second overall in the 125cc class and, although he is 23 points behind the series leader, Ngatea's Ben Broad (KTM125), Chase knows the Taupo track like the back of his hand.

The 23-point gap may seem an impossible hurdle for Taupo's Chase to overcome, but anything can happen in the unpredictable sport of motocross. It will just take one slip-up by Broad or an inspirational performance from Chase to tip the balance of power in the other direction.

With a 1-2-1 scorecard at round three of the series near Rotorua last weekend, Chase topped the podium in the class, although it was, in reality, only a five-point swing in Chase's favour.

Broad finished 3-1-2 at Rotorua, to end the day runner-up and keep his title hopes very much alive.

Chase will line up with his Total Oils Yamaha YZ125 on Sunday with everything to fight for and nothing to lose.

"I've still got a bit of work to do," he admitted. "I gained some ground last weekend and Taupo is my track, but it's going to be tough.

"I need to win at Taupo on Sunday and hope that Broad finishes the day lower than third. That might just do it for me. I'll just keep a level head and ride smart."

The dice rolls for the final time tomorrow, with racing set to start about 10am.