Time to get down, dirty in hot hundy

FULL POWER: Auckland's Chris Power (Yamaha YZ250) will be one of the front runners at the Tarawera 100.PHOTO/ANDY McGECHAN BIKESPORTNZ.COM

Cross-country meets the enduro and motocross worlds at the big annual Tarawera 100 near Kawerau today.

Top-class riders are entered from all the various dirt bike codes.

The marathon Tarawera 100 - which gets its name from the 100 mile (140km) race distance - tests rider ability, stamina and strength to the limit, just as much as it is a test of bike reliability and horsepower.

But more than that, it is also a great coming together for former, present and potential future champions from across all the different motorcycling codes.

Many eyes will likely focus on the form of top cross-country riders such as national cross-country No2 Ethan Bruce (Yamaha YZ125), of Maruia.

Even seven-time former national moto trials champion Warren Laugesen, from Hawke's Bay, is expected to vie for top honours at the Te Teko course today.

Add enduro riders into the mix and attention must be paid to former national enduro champion Chris Power, of Auckland, who will ride a Yamaha YZ250 in the over-200cc, two-stroke category.

In the battle of the big bore bikes it will probably be a showdown between three-time former national cross-country champion Adam Reeves (Yamaha YZ450F), of Palmerston North, and his motocross exponent rivals in the form of defending Tarawera 100 champion Ben Townley, of Tauranga, and Taupo's Brad Groombridge.

Mount Maunganui's Rhys Carter takes a break from racing the MX1 class at the Australian Motocross Championships to enter the Tarawera 100.

The race starts at 10am.