take a 2021-model Honda CRF450X enduro bike and tackle the enduro nationals , “ just for the fun of it ”. Scott ’ s rookie enduro campaign was storming along , especially in the early phases . He finished fourth overall at round one near Tokoroa in April , placed runner-up at round two in Marlborough two weeks later and finished the weekend third overall at round four in the Moonshine Valley , between Upper Hutt and Porirua , a week before the double-header weekend in the Wairarapa . But , at Marlborough , he finished an uncharacteristic 30th overall , after losing a massive 33 minutes because of a bent sprocket , and this cost him dearly . That setback saw him slip from third to fourth overall in the final series standings . Scott was impressive nonetheless as he
rode a 450cc bike for the first time this season and showed great courage and strength to keep the enduro top-guns honest , particularly considering it was his debut season contesting a dirt bike code that he was largely unfamiliar with . “ My main goal this season was just to get through the series , have fun and learn some new skills . I achieved all those aims , so I ’ m satisfied with that ,” he said . A highlight of the enduro rookie ’ s campaign this year was his winning the second of two days in Marlborough in April , although he did eventually have to accept being credited with overall runnerup for this two-day event in the South Island . Meanwhile , another young man to impress this season was Taupo ’ s Wil Yeoman ( Yamaha YZ125X ), the justturned 16-year-old finishing fifth overall
KIWI RIDER 39