New combo still on pace

British super moto rider Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, on debut at the opening round of the annual Suzuki Series at Hampton Downs on Saturday. PHOTO/ANDY MCGECHAN, BIKESPORTNZ.COM

A more polished Wanganui-based Silicone Engineering team head to round two of the Suzuki Series at Manfield this weekend after a fact-finding mission at Hampton Downs a week ago.

Wanganui born and bred Richy Dibben and his British mate Malachi (Mal) Mitchell-Thomas had mixed fortunes in round one at Hampton last Saturday, yet are still on the pace to claim the 2013 super moto class title by series end on the Cemetery Circuit in Wanganui on Boxing Day.

Dibben returned from an eight-month stint working for Mitchell-Thomas' British sponsor Silicone Engineering that has extended its generosity to backing both riders in the Suzuki Series this year.

Mitchell-Thomas is a class act only just missing the European title after crashing in the final race in France and his debut at Hampton Downs has given him much-needed experience of the Kiwi way.

The Brit spent most of the day at Hampton chasing series leader Toby Summers from Auckland who won both super moto races on Saturday aboard his Yamaha YZ450F. Mitchell-Thomas arrived in New Zealand with his purpose-built TM450, an Italian brand of motorcycle.

Mitchell-Thomas had a third and a second behind Summers at Hampton, while a crash on the first bend in race one was not an ideal start to Dibben's drive to defend his 2012 super moto title.

"My front wheel just went from under me and I slid," Dibben said yesterday.

Apart from his pride, Dibben suffered no injuries and climbed back in his scooter to claw his way through a field of more than 20 riders to take fifth.

"The second race was a bit better and I had a real battle with Jayden Carrick [Wanganui] and Duncan Hart from Tauranga, but I managed to keep them at bay to run third behind Toby and Mal," Dibben said.

"Mal had a good day and got a real feel for New Zealand race conditions which are a bit different to what he's used to, but he handled it well and I'm sure he will enjoy the flat surface at Manfield this weekend."

Mitchell-Thomas heads to Manfield in second place, nine points behind Summers, while Dibben is tied for fourth.

The Brit has an interesting road ahead, especially when he lines up on the grid in Wanganui on Boxing Day. He has never raced on a street circuit.

Supermoto series points: Toby Summers, 51; Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, 42; Duncan Hart, 37; Richard Dibben, 36; Casey Bullock, 36; Aden Brown, 28.