three national cross-country titles and, if I’m not
instead overseas racing in the GNCC, then I’ll
go for title No.4 next year and hopefully match
(Awakino’s) Adrian Smith in winning four titles.”
In the meantime, Groombridge will switch
back to enduro mode to continue his national
enduro championships campaign. After two
of two of five rounds in that parallel-and-
similar series, Groombridge is running second
overall, behind Helensville’s Tom Buxton.
Buxton has indicated he is likely to skip the
remaining rounds of the enduro nationals
and that means, if Groombridge can maintain
his momentum, the Taupo rider could be in
line for a second national dirt-biking title this
season. The next round of the enduro nationals
is set for Maruia, near Nelson, on May 26.
Meanwhile, it’s interesting to note that
Saturday’s result not only gave Groombridge
his third consecutive national cross-country
title, but it meant he collected the over-
300cc four-stroke class title as well.
Raglan’s Brandon Given won the under-300cc
four-stroke cross-country title and Napier’s
Mackenzie Wigg won the over-200cc two-stroke
title, while Te Awamutu’s Rachael Archer became
the first female to win an all-gender class,
claiming the under-200cc two-stroke title.
It was a double celebration for the Archer
family, with Rachael’s father, Kevin, winning
the over-45 years’ Super Veterans’ title.
Stratford’s Karl Roberts won the 35-44 years’
Veterans’ title and Thames rider Natasha
Cairns topped the women’s grade.
Natasha Cairns
Callum Paterson
KIWI RIDER 23