Fresh Names Feature At Top After Round Two Of Series

APRIL 23, 2025: Fresh faces were to the fore at round two of the 2025 Yamaha New Zealand Hard Enduro Nationals in Central Otago at the weekend.

Taranaki pair Luke Thompson and Sam Parker battled to an incredibly close first and second overall respectively over the two days at round one of the series in Taranaki last month, but it was a handful of different riders who stepped up to be noticed at the three days of racing that comprised round two in the South Island.

Days one and two, on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, was the Schist Enduro X and this took riders to testing terrain at Wanaka, while day three on Monday, April 21, labelled the Hard Enduro, was staged at Moa Creek, Poolburn.

Whitecliffs rider Luke Corson, Whangarei’s Owen Broughton, Tokoroa’s Jake Wightman, Owaka’s Blake Affleck and Auckland’s Mitchell Gallagher, among others, were the stand-out individuals in the South Island over the Easter Weekend.

“There were certainly no Easter bunnies in the South Island at the weekend,” joked Motorcycling New Zealand enduro commissioner Justin Stevenson afterwards.

“It was pleasing to see riders showing up from as far afield as Invercargill in the south and Whangarei in the north, with riders from everywhere in between.

“The host Central Otago Motorcycle Club did a great job, with good numbers showing up. It’s a pity it’s the last Wheels of Wanaka … hopefully the club finds a way to keep the EnduroX running.”

Round three is set for Canterbury on the weekend of May 10-11. Only six of the seven rounds will be counted, with riders expected to discard points from their worst result.

The weekend was sponsored by Yamaha Motor New Zealand, Motorcycling New Zealand, Kiwi Rider magazine, Silver-Bullet and Mitas tyres.

2025 Yamaha New Zealand Hard Enduro Nationals calendar:

Round 1: Taranaki, March 29-30;

Round 2: Central Otago, April 19-21;

Round 3: Canterbury, May 10-11;

Round 4: Northland, July 19-20;

Round 5: Wellington, September 27-28;

Round 6: Canterbury, November 15-16;

Round 7: Wellington, November 30.

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