Dirt Bike Worlds Set to Collide Near Whakatane

Dirt Bike Worlds Set to Collide Near Whakatane

JUNE 20, 2014: The worlds are set to collide this weekend.

The cross-country world meets the enduro and motocross worlds at the big annual Tarawera 100 near Kawerau on Saturday with top-class riders entered from all the various dirt bike codes.

The marathon Tarawera 100 – which gets its name from the 100-mile (140 kilometre) race distance – tests rider ability, stamina and strength to the limit, just as much as it is a test of bike reliability and horsepower, but more than that, it is also a great coming-together for former champions, current champions and potential future champions from across all the different motorcycling codes.

Many eyes will likely focus on the form of top cross-country riders such as current national cross-country No.2 Ethan Bruce (Yamaha YZ125), of Maruia, but even seven-time former national moto trials champion Warren Laugesen, from Hawke’s Bay, is expected to vie for top honours at the Te Teko course on Saturday.

Add enduro riders into the mix and attention must be paid to former national enduro champion Chris Power, of Auckland, who will ride a Yamaha YZ250 in the over-200cc two-stroke category.

In the battle of the big bore bikes, however, it will probably be a showdown between three-time former national cross-country champion Adam Reeves (Yamaha YZ450F), of Palmerston North, and his motocross exponent rivals in the form of defending Tarawera 100 champion Ben Townley, of Tauranga, and Taupo’s Brad Groombridge.

Mount Maunganui’s Rhys Carter takes a break from racing the MX1 class at the Australian Motocross Championships to enter the Tarawera 100.

The race starts with a shotgun blast at 10am.

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