Reardon had built up an impressive 23-point
lead over his nearest rival, Cambridge’s Beau
Taylor (Husqvarna TE250), after the first five
rounds of the series and so the pressure was
mostly off for him at Hokitika.
Kiwi international Macdonald, at home for a
seven-week spell as the FIM Enduro GP World
Championships take their regular (Northern
Hemisphere) summer break, won both days
at Hokitika, but Reardon played it cool and
twice finished third, easily enough for him to
clinch his first national title.
Reardon, an apprentice engineer, knew he
had a solid points advantage over Taylor, but
he was still determined to attack the tricky
Westland course.
“It was a challenge on both days,” said
Reardon. “I’ve never raced in anything like
that before. It was very swampy and difficult
trying to go fast and not lose momentum and
HUNGER
WIGHTMAN
30 KIWI RIDER
that tactic was risky too.
“I had a couple of minor moments on
Saturday when I became cross-rutted (one
wheel in one rut and the other in a different
rut)... it was just a matter of choosing one of
the 50 or so ruts ahead of me and blasting
through. It was mayhem.
“It has been a very good season for me,”
Reardon agreed, “I have put in a lot of time
on my bike and I think that is the key to me
winning. The bike has been brilliant too and it
has never let me down all season.
“I have spent a lot of time in the gym
because it’s hard to get out and ride when it’s
dark after work. But I ride every weekend. I’m
perhaps the fittest I’ve ever been, although
you never can be fit enough for this sport.”
Reardon took the ‘overall’ trophy for the
premier AA Grade, ahead of Taylor and
Tokoroa’s Jake Wightman (KTM 250XC-F),
CAIRNS
BLY