KIWI RIDER 11 2019 VOL1 | Page 101

“It has been a massive year for me and this result is a huge confidence-booster. I have been riding against top opposition overseas and training on pretty extreme terrain. “I hope to go back to train more with (former world class trial rider) Joan Pons in Barcelona next year. I just have to get my school exams out of the way first.” Other class winners in Hawke’s Bay were Whangarei rider Luke March (A Grade), originally from Hawke’s Bay; Taranaki’s Jason Day (Intermediates); Wellington’s Cameron Judd (Mini A); Upper Hutt’s Luke Pearce (Mini B); Upper Hutt’s Ben Pearce (Mini C); Napier’s Paul Simmonds (Presidents Grade); Wellington’s Mark Sidebotham (Sportsmans); Tauranga’s Warwick Merriman (Clubmans); Rangiora’s Paul Jackson (Twin Shock). Meanwhile, the North Island versus South Island Teams’ Challenge was won by the North Island, 25 points to 14. Motorcycling NZ trial commissioner Paul Jackson said everyone was really happy with the content of the sections. “They were long sections and quite physical, but not dangerous. The riders needed to maintain their concentration. “We had 22 mini riders entered and that was impressive,” he said. “The minis was the highlight of the weekend. We introduced this class this year and it has been a great success. The minis had great support from parents, which was good to see too.” Run by the Hawke’s Bay Motorcycle Club, day one of this event was set at Tongoio, north of Eskdale, on Saturday, with day two at Waitara Road, off the Napier-Taupo Road, and it was wrapped up with day three at Dartmoor on Labour Day Monday. KIWI RIDER 101