KIWI RIDER 05 2018 VOL.2 | Page 23

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