Motorcross
Paul Whibley has his fingers crossed that his title defence in the United States is just beginning to gather momentum as he scooped up more valuable points at the weekend.
The 34-year-old former Manawatu forestry worker, affectionately dubbed "The Axeman" on the motorcycling scene, won two major cross-country titles in the US last season, clinching the Grand National Cross-country Championships (GNCC) and the Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV (OMA) crown as well.
However, the Yamaha ace from Pahiatua was disappointed to finish only fourth overall when his GNCC title defence kicked off in Florida a week ago.
And it was further cause for disappointment last weekend when he crossed the finish line in an unaccustomed sixth position in the second round in Georgia.