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One Down and One to Go
One Down and One to Go
JUNE 25, 2013: It’s one down and one to go for Nelson teenager Ethan Bruce.
The 17-year-old led a Yamaha 1-2 to the top of the podium when the Tracktion Cross-country Series wrapped up near Cheviot at the weekend, Bruce (Yamaha YZ250) actually making it four wins from four starts in the four-round series to head off Rangiora’s Kelly Patterson (Yamaha WRF250) and Blenheim Suzuki rider Steven Lange for the overall series glory.
And now, with that series win tucked away, he’s looking ahead to making it a second major win for the season when he heads off to tackle round two of the Top Of The South cross-country series near Blenheim this weekend.
Bruce won the first round of the Top Of The South and must rank as one of the favourites to win outright.
There are three rounds remaining in the Top Of The South series and he’s not taking anything for granted just yet, although his recent form suggests he’ll be hard to beat.
Bruce’s win near Cheviot on Sunday was comprehensive, despite the “shocking conditions”.
“It was pretty slippery (at Cheviot),” said Bruce, originally from Maruia but now working as an engineer in Nelson.
“It was like riding on ice. It was slippery and technical but it was awesome. I loved it. The harder the better I think.”
He finished about 10 minutes ahead of Patterson at the end of the two-hour battle.
“Most of the races in this series were held in dry conditions and over wicked terrain, but this last one being wet really suited me. Not everyone can ride well in mud and it sorts the men from the boys.
“I raced the Tracktion series as a junior last year but broke my collarbone and that meant I couldn’t complete the series. I still managed to finish third overall.”
Bruce’s next big assignment after Blenheim this coming weekend is to travel north and tackle the big annual Tarawera 100 cross-country endurance race near Kawerau on July 13.
“I have never raced the Tarawera 100 but it’s an iconic event and something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m a bit nervous about it but looking forward to the race too.”
Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
ENDS
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