King sparkles in crowning moment

New Zealand has a new motocross world champion.

Hamilton's Darryll King swept both his races at the 2012 Veterans' World Motocross Championships, held in conjunction with the weekend's British GP at Matterley Basin, near Winchester.

The Yamaha ace - and current New Zealand MX2 champion - was simply unstoppable on the rolling grassland circuit, winning both races, finishing ahead of Spaniard Xevi Colomer Genis (Suzuki) and Sweden's Mats Nilsson (Yamaha) respectively.

Nilsson finished overall runner-up, thanks to his 3-2 results, while Colomer Genis (2-3) took third.

Belgium's Pascal Bal (Yamaha) was the defending world champion in this grade and he finished the opening race down in 11th position and did not finish the second.

"To win this championship is simply amazing," said the 43-year-old Kiwi afterwards. "This year has been one of the best ever and I have enjoyed every minute of it throughout every area of my life.

"The British Motocross Grand Prix track was one of the best tracks I have raced on. There were so many big jumps and bumps and ruts and I have never experienced anything like it before.

"I'm used to riding the YZ250 two-stroke machine but I loved riding the YZ450F Yamaha and I had some quality rides in Belgium before I headed over to England.

"I rode the bike like it should be ridden, with precision and finesse during every lap.

"I can't wait to get back home to New Zealand to prepare for the new racing season again. In the meantime, I will be taking some time out to celebrate and relax.

"I really love riding dirt bikes and to win this World Championship shows that never giving up is the only way to go."