MX FEST
Groombridge , Taupo ’ s Wil Yeoman and Nelson ’ s Bailey Basalaj reasonably close behind in the points standings in this top category . What was even more remarkable about Scott ’ s result was that he had been sidelined with an injury in the previous weeks . Declared fit to race again at Bideford , the points advantage he enjoyed meant he may have felt the pressure was off him . But Scott said he still felt he couldn ’ t fully relax , “ After suffering concussion recently and not being able to ride , it took me a while to get into the groove on Saturday ,” he said . “ We have an hour and 40 minutes of trail riding before the first special test ( sprint section ). I won the special test , although I knew I probably didn ’ t need to . I actually think I had done enough at the previous rounds to give me enough breathing room . “ But I still felt the pressure to perform because a lot can go wrong quite quickly in this sport . I had to concentrate and not make silly mistakes .” And that ’ s just what he did , winning the day overall ahead of Wairoa ’ s Tommy Watts , with Yeoman third and Groombridge fourth in the AA Grade at Bideford . This was still good enough for Groombridge to end the series overall runner-up , with Yeoman settling for the third podium spot for the series . “ We had a tricky day . After a serious crash closed the Remutaka Ranges , we held back the start and kept sign-on open until 12pm , but it seems a lot of riders didn ’ t make it ,” said Motorcycling New Zealand enduro commissioner Justin Stevenson . “ The Bideford Kapi Mana Motorcycle Club crew really stepped up and built an awesome course . It was challenging . The riders had to work for a finish .” Other class winners in the various AA grade ( expert level ) bike classes this season were Yeoman ( E1 , under-200cc two-stroke and under-300cc four-stroke class ); Groombridge ( E2 , over-200cc two-stroke class ); and Rangiora ’ s Kelly Paterson ( Veterans ’ over-40 years class ).
Wil Yeoman
34 KIWI RIDER