AIRBORNE: Whanganui's Haden Smith was in hot form at the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships in Hastings at the weekend before mechanical problems hit hard.PHOTO/BLAKE ROUNTREE
AIRBORNE: Whanganui's Haden Smith was in hot form at the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships in Hastings at the weekend before mechanical problems hit hard.PHOTO/BLAKE ROUNTREE
WHANGANUI'S best hope at the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships in Hastings was dealt a cruel blow when Haden Smith was dogged with mechanical problems on the final day over the weekend.
Four Whanganui riders competed and Wanganui Collegiate student Smith was in hot form on the first two days,running third overall into the last day in the 15-16 year 125cc class. However, bike problems in the second to last race cost him a podium finish after he tailed the field home.
Smith ended the championship fifth overall over the three days and seven races.
James Rountree, also a Collegiate student racing in the 13-16 year 85cc grade, had good placing over the three days, but ended up crashing in the final race and hitting a fence when running 13th. He ended up 17th overall.
The other two riders, Wanganui High School's Tom Gilligan (15-16 125cc) and Collegiate's Campbell Tylee (13-16 85cc) finished 24th and 25th respectively on a demanding track with many big jumps and ruts on the corners.
The boys now look forward to the second round of the Wanganui Motocross Championships on May 15 where they are all placed in the top five of their classes after the first round.
