COMPETITION
JAMES SCOTT
BLAKE WILKINS
National cross-country champion Scott , who would later be joining Yeoman in New Zealand ’ s ISDE Junior Trophy Team in France , had been running in second position at round one , losing his lead to Yeoman after coming into the pits for a quick “ splash and dash ” refuel . But it wasn ’ t enough of a “ splash ” and Scott ran out of fuel on the last lap . Scott therefore failed to finish , although he was still able to be credited with 25th overall . Scott more than made up for that when , with Yeoman a no-show , he stormed to a convincing win at round two at Ohakuri , about halfway between Taupo and Tokoroa , crossing the finish line more than two minutes ahead of the fastimproving Wilkins . Like Yeoman , May didn ’ t race at round two , obviously also saving himself for his upcoming ISDE campaign in France , when he would be a member of New Zealand ’ s senior World Trophy Team . But the absence of key riders such as Yeoman , Scott and May at the final round , while disappointing for the race fans , did not lessen or dilute what was achieved by Whitaker and company at this second visit to the Ohakuri forest venue , these stay-at-home riders always title contenders anyway at national competition level .
Besides which , Whitaker is also himself no stranger to elite-level international competition .
“ In my earlier days , when I was competing in major trials events , I raced the world championships in Europe and I have also previously tackled extreme enduro events in
KIWI RIDER 39