Cross Country: Whanganui's Seth Reardon in second ahead of penultimate round

Seth Reardon is second in the NZ Cross Country Championships, but needs to stop series leader Jason Dickey from winning on Sunday to keep his title hopes alive. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

It is make or break time for national title hopefuls this weekend in Marlborough.

It is the third round of four in the 2019 New Zealand Cross Country Championships and so far it has been the same individual standing on the top step of the senior podium at the end of the day's racing.

Raglan dirt bike ace Jason Dickey was the top dog at both rounds one and two of the series, at Norsewood and Mosgiel respectively.

Whanganui's Seth Reardon is second best on the points table thus far, while Glen Murray's Sam Brown, Raglan's Brandon Given and Eketahuna's Charlie Richardson have also threatened Dickey at the earlier rounds.

However, with only three of the rounds to be counted, as riders discard their one worst result, it means that someone has to step up and start taking wins off Dickey before it's too late.

Racing on Sunday is set for Kemp's property on State Highway 1 in Welds Pass – about 10 minutes drive south of Blenheim – and it is sure to be another stern test for both rider and machine.

Motorcycling NZ cross country commissioner Chris Smyth said the host Marlborough Motorcycle Club had prepared a great track for the weekend.

"A large part of the track has been mown, which means there should not be any problems with clumps of tussock catching riders out.

"They have told me that is has been raining there this week, so dust should not be a problem either, certainly less of an issue than it might otherwise have been.

"The course is quite open and free-flowing, but still in places. There are a few creek crossings too, which will keep the riders on their toes."

The 2019 New Zealand Cross-country Championships will wrap up near Taupo on May 25.