KIWI RIDER 04 2019 VOL.2 | Page 20

COLTON HAAKER TAKES FIM SUPER ENDURO CROWN Enter the Matrix This 2019 O’Neal Matrix Glove features a lightweight, uncomplicated design for superb feel and comfort while riding. Made of long- lasting and flexible materials for the perfect fit, it features a super lightweight design with bold non-fade graphics, a synthetic leather palm with double layer thumb reinforcement, an adjustable Velcro wrist closure for secure and adjustable fit, and pre-curved tailoring to help reduce arm pump. Distributor: Northern Accessories Style: Icon Fluoro and Villain Price: $29.95 Info: http://www.dirtguide.co.nz/ searchresults.aspx?terms=o- neal+matrix+gloves ockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker has secured his third world title adding the 2019 FIM SuperEnduro Championship to his Don Camo and World Equalise trophy cabinet. Oakley Airbrake Camo Vine and Equaliser Entering closing round which of the help series goggles use the Prizm MX lenses, you see as the championship leader, Haaker held subtle transitions in dirt conditions so you can a 12-point over his closest rival master those advantage split-second decisions. with just three races, and superpole That’ll help you pick fast lines, identify for the fastest in qualifier, remaining in the 2019 differences dirt texture for traction control, championship. Although feeling unsettled and see deeper into shady ruts. on the and to inconsistent Prizm MX extremely lenses are slippery engineered perform under a wide range of managed light conditions, so when course, Haaker still to power to the the track goes from sunlight to canopy shade, second fastest time in superpole, securing you’ll have sharpened visual acuity and vivid two valuable points. colour perception. In the opening race, a run of mistakes put the Husqvarna rider on the back foot early on. Finding his rhythm as the race Distributor: Haaker Northern Accessories progressed, worked his way up the Size style: Camo Vine in Jungle Red, finish. white, leader board to secure a third-place blue MX goggles with Prizm Torch Irdium With start order reversed for race two, Lens. the Airbrake Equaliser with Blue, yellow he in his with best Sapphire ride of the night, Prizm quickly MX put goggles Iridium Lens control of the lead. Controlling the taking Price: $289.95, pace up Camo front, Vine he rode clear Airbrake to claim Equal- victory. iser $289.95 With the outcome of this year’s Info: http://www.dirtguide.co.nz/searchre- championship fight coming down to the final sults.aspx?terms=oakley+airbrake moto, Haaker held the point’s advantage as they lined up at the start. A strong opening KIWI RIDER 118 20 KIWI RIDER lap put him right where he needed to be, but a series of errors saw him dramatically slip back down the leader board. Putting in a fighting final lap, Haaker rode his way back into contention and with it clinched the 2019 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. “I’m a little bit lost for words right now, it’s been an eventful night but to end it as the world champion is an incredible feeling, Haaker commented post-race. “Tonight was tough, he continued. I’m not quite sure yet what it was but it certainly wasn’t my best night on a bike. The track wasn’t good and I had some serious arm pump issues, which is something I never really get. I made so many mistakes in race one and was riding too tight. Then I got it together in race two and felt more like I should. It was all on the line for the final and I did what I needed to do on the first few laps. But then the arm pump kicked in again and I stalled my bike so many times. With about a lap to go, I got things together again and put everything I had left into that lap and won the title. It wasn’t pretty, but it doesn’t matter, we’re world champions and it feels awesome.”