explained , eventually winning the title by four points from Van Dusschoten . “ The track was challenging and fast too , but that suited me . The suspension set-up was great and I had no bike issues all weekend . “ I had finished third overall in my class at the junior nationals in Tauranga two years ago and was forced to skip last year ’ s nationals in Taranaki because of injury , so it was great to bounce back and win my first title now . I was side-lined with injury for something like eight months , but that ’ s all forgotten now . “ I am hoping I can head away to race in the United States later in the year , but that ’ s just in the planning stages at the moment .” Dual-class ironman Morrow was a frontrunner in the 15-16 years ’ 125cc class as well , eventually winning that title ahead of Richmond ’ s Wills Harvey and Queenstown ’ s Alex Garland . Best of the females was Raetihi ’ s Karaitiana Horne and she truly dominated her 12-16 years ’ 125cc / 250cc girls ’ class , winning all five of her races over the three days and ending the weekend on the top podium step in this premier girls ’ category , comfortably ahead of Mangakino ’ s Teagan Wilkin-Thom and Taupo ’ s Mikayla Griffiths .
Levin ’ s Phoenix Van Dusschoten ( above and pages 54-55 ) was overall runner-up in 14-16 years ’ 250cc class . Seth Morrow ( below ) completed the 250cc podium , as well as wining the 125cc class
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