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APRIL 22, 2008: They may be small but the under-200cc Kawasaki bikes have more than enough power to perform.
That's the verdict after Kawasaki riders Luke Ramsey and Shane McGowan finished 1-2 in the under-200cc class at the opening round of the New Zealand Cross-country Championships near Nelson on Sunday.
Rather than get swallowed up by riders on the 450cc bikes, Te Kauwhata's Ramsey (Kawasaki KX125) and Nelson's McGowan (Kawasaki KDX200) held their own, eventually completing nine of the 18-kilometre laps and finishing ninth and 21st overall in the talented-packed 42-rider field.
Te Kauwhata workshop owner Jason Moorfield led partway through the race on his Kawasaki KX2450F but was forced to give up his lead when he needed a refuelling stop on lap four. The 36-year-old father-of-two had battled with eventual race winner Cam Smith (Marton) throughout the opening few laps but, once Smith had created a gap following Moorfield's pit stop, there was little Moorfield could do to make up lost ground.
Pahiatua's Adam Reeves took second spot, relegating Moorfield to third.
Even so, Moorfield's performance was inspiring. Still recovering from breaking his ribs at round three of the North Island Cross-country Championships just a fortnight earlier, he nonetheless rode through the pain barrier to threaten Smith and Reeves right to the end.
"I'm probably one of the oldest competitors out there too," laughed Moorfield. "It was a fast track and I didn't get a good start but I went from 20th to third in that opening lap. I was in some pain. I broke my collarbone in January and I was still getting over that when I broke my ribs but I'm looking ahead now to the following rounds, when I'll be 100% fit again."
Only three of the four rounds count towards the title, with riders able to discard their worst result. If third place is Moorfield's worst result of the series, he'll be a contender for the title.
Moorfield finished runner-up in the nationals last season, finishing close behind fellow Kawasaki rider Nick Saunders. Taupo's Saunders is not defending his title this season as he instead concentrates on his motocross career.
Meanwhile, coming home fourth overall in Nelson, just a few minutes behind Moorfield, was another Kawasaki rider, Kevin Hermansen. Norsewood's Hermansen (Kawasaki KX250F) won his under-300cc class, helping Kawasaki to also win the teams classification.
