Crash dents Whibley hopes

Pahiatua cross-country motorcycle ace Paul Whibley has suffered a setback in the United States, but it is mostly of his own doing.

The Yamaha rider still leads the Grand National Cross-Country Championships despite literally crashing his way to an unaccustomed third-place finish at the 11th round of 13 at St Clairsville, Ohio, on Sunday.

And while it wasn't the result he wanted, especially with his main rival Kailub Russell winning the day, the damage was limited by his tenacity and ability to fight back.

"Championships are won on your worst days. If you can keep your worst days to finishing third or fourth, then that's okay," said the 34-year-old former forestry worker, affectionately dubbed "The Axeman" on the motorcycling scene.

Whibley (Yamaha YZ450F) snatched the lead at the start, something he has been able to do with regularity this season. However, Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins both passed him going into the second lap, a situation which didn't faze him as it meant he could follow their lines in the tough, slippery conditions.

"Then I messed up. I thought I could get the bike over a big log ... but I couldn't," Whibley said.

"I crashed, it was just my own stupid fault. I tweaked my head, my neck and my arm and was pretty sore after that.

"I was just hoping I could keep going but then I had another crash. I started riding more carefully after that, thinking about damage control. To salvage third place wasn't too bad considering the day I'd had."

Whibley's championship lead has been shaved back to 13 points and he knows he will need to be at his best to retain his advantage over the remaining two rounds.