Ace Pahiatua motorcyclist Paul Whibley continues to lead the way in the Grand National Cross-Country Championship in the United States although the Kiwi hero will have to keep a very close eye on the two men giving chase as the battle heats up behind him.
New Zealand riders hogged the podium at the eighth round of 13 last weekend, Wellington's Rory Mead and Whibley finishing first and third respectively at the famous Snowshoe in West Virginia, the Kiwi pair sandwiching American Kailub Russell on the podium.
It was a significant result for both New Zealanders, being Mead's second GNCC win on his first full season in the United States and, in contrast, for Whibley, it was a minor setback in his bid to reclaim the title he last held in 2009.
Whibley (Yamaha YZ450F) had enjoyed a five-point lead over Russell, his nearest rival for the 2012 title, as the riders headed to West Virginia at the weekend, but that advantage has now been shaved back to a single point.
After his latest effort Whibley said he had to improve his speed and focus on getting better with what he was doing. He said the close racing of this year had been really good for the fans and for riders.
