Smith eases into the lead

Taihape's Hayden Smith (KTM 125), who reclaimed the lead in the 125cc class after a thrilling day of racing in the Manawatu on Sunday. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

Taihape's Hayden Smith has finally built a points gap on Karaka's Kurtis Lilly after the third round of the New Zealand Motocross Championships at Flipp's Motocross Park in Himatangi on Sunday.

The rough and sandy course was unsettling for many leading contenders across the three classes, with the 125cc class especially tense as Smith and Karaka were tied on 141 points heading into the round.

But Smith was on familiar turf and made the most of it in the wet conditions.

Australian Mason Semmens, riding for the first time in the series, won race 1 of three for the 125cc bikes, with Smith second and Lilly third.

Smith then turned it up on his KTM to win the next two races ahead of Lilly's Husqvarna, to leave himself on top of the overall points standings with the biggest gap to Lilly so far in the campaign.

"I now have an eight-point advantage, which is pretty solid," said Smith afterwards.

"I beat Kurtis in every race. It was close racing and I had a few scary moments today, but, thankfully, no crashes.

"I thought I was going to have a really big one, but lucky was on my side today," said Smith.

Nelson's Hayden Wilkinson (Yamaha) remains third in 125cc, but is too far back to catch the leaders.

Smith will still have to perform well in the final round of the series at Taupo on March 25.

Overall points:1. Hayden Smith (Taihape, KTM) 213; 2. Kurtis Lilly (Karaka, Husqvarna) 205; 3. Hayden Wilkinson (Nelson, Yamaha) 154; 4. Dan Bell (Levin, KTM) 143; 5. Ryan Gwynn (Kakaramea, Husqvarna) 122.