MARCH 14, 2012: Former world No.2 Darryll King is used to being in tight spots.

And the Yamaha ace from Hamilton has every intention of fighting his way out of the latest one.

The reigning national MX2 (250cc) class champion takes his Yamaha YZ250 to Taupo for the fourth and final round of this year’s series with only a tenuous hold on his title.

The 43-year-old King is just one point ahead of his nearest rival, fellow Kiwi international Scotty Columb, of Queenstown, and both men know it will be a furious fight to the finish on Sunday.

Third in the standings is Tauranga’s Peter Broxholme, but he is a distant 42 points behind Columb and therefore not really a title contender this season.

“I always look forward to riding my bike and always look forward to riding at Taupo too. I like the big jumps and the rough sections there,” said King.

“I know Scotty is close behind me but I’ll just focus on what I have to do and not worry about him.

“I’ve got more experience than anyone else on the start line. I know what to do in these situations.

“Sunday will be like starting the nationals all over again. Whoever wins the day between me and Scotty on Sunday will take the title, simple as that. Anything is still possible. We’ll just see what the day brings.”

King also has a role to play as manager of the MXDK Yamaha Team and, in that capacity, he’s keen to see his team-mates, each of them former champions, put their bikes on the podium.

Waitakere’s Ethan Martens rides a Yamaha YZ250F four-stroke in the same class as King. He is currently fifth in the championship standings and within strike range of the podium.

“It will be good to see Ethan on the podium. He deserves to be there and he’s capable of it,” said King.

Motueka’s Josh Coppins (Yamaha YZ450F) won one of the three MX1 races at the previous round at Pukekohe a fortnight ago and he is currently second in the series standings, 21 points behind Tauranga’s Ben Townley.

Coppins needs three good races on Sunday, and a little bit of bad luck to strike Townley, if he’s to move up.

Rotorua’s Cameron Vaughan (Yamaha YZ125) is also in the No.2 spot, 29 points adrift of Amberley’s Micah McGoldrick in the 125cc class.

Another Yamaha rider, Tauranga’s Logan Blackburn, is third overall in the 125cc class, while Auckland’s Callan May (Yamaha YZ125) is likely to move up from fifth overall and replace Rotorua’s Cam Negus in the No.4 spot.

Negus is now sidelined with injury and not expected to race on Sunday.

Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

ENDS

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