KIWI RIDER 07 2018 VOL.1 | Page 70

TAYLOR SUTTON “I’m building up my strength and speed towards contesting the upcoming (six- round) NZXC Series. My aim this season is to win that,” said May. The three-round Dirt Guide series is now delicately poised, with Sutton on top of the points table, thanks to his 4-2 score- card, just two points ahead of Cambridge’s Ashton Grey (Yamaha YZ450FX, who has finished 2-5 in the two rounds thus far), while Whitianga’s Blake Wilkins (Husqvarna TE150, with a 3-8 score-card) is ranked third overall, with one round remaining. Sutton, a 27-year-old plumber, has 70 KIWI RIDER surprised even himself this season. “Once I got onto the back wheel of Callan, we managed to lose the guy behind me. Because I was following Callan I was learning his lines and going quite quick. “I broke my leg last year and that put me out of racing for a bit, but I’ve come back pretty strong. I’m pretty happy with how I’m riding. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I think it’s the bike. I used to ride a four- stroke but I’m loving the 125cc two-stroke Yamaha. I think that, on a bigger bike, you get lazy. I’m not being lazy on this.” >