Motocross Champs set for tight finish

ACTION: Ngatea's Ben Broad (KTM125), the hot favourite to wrap up the senior national 125cc motocross title in Taupo this weekend. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

Like any good thriller, it's not until the final chapter that everything gets sorted out.

It's the same with the 2016 New Zealand Motocross Championships, a series that has had it all already this season - accidents, crashes, injuries, sensational charges through the pack, mechanical issues and last-lap passes - and it is set to produce even more drama at the fourth and final round at the Digger McEwen Motorcycle Park in Taupo this weekend.

The popular sand and pumice-based track is virtually an all-weather facility and is bound to attract plenty of spectators this weekend.

Fans who have missed the earlier action in Timaru, Himatangi and Rotorua will not want to miss this final showdown.

The mathematics is simple, if Ngatea's Ben Broad finishes third or better in his three races in Taupo on Sunday, he'll win the 125cc title regardless of where Taupo's Wyatt Chase finishes.

Karaka's Kurtis Lilly is third overall, 43 points behind Broad, and he will be keen to move up or at least just protect his podium position.

With a maximum 75 points on offer on Sunday, riders such as Beachlands' Blake Gillard, Feilding's Tony Cvitanovich and Papakura's Sean O'Connor could also move themselves up and onto the 125cc podium.

Mathematically speaking, if Takaka's Hamish Harwood can beat Australian visitor Jed Beaton or at least finish no worse than one place behind Beaton in their three remaining races, he'll win the MX2 (250cc) title.

With a maximum 75 points available in this class too, any one of another six or seven riders could also move themselves onto the podium.

Currently third overall, Waitakere's Ethan Martens will have his work cut out preventing Mangakino's Kayne Lamont, Rangiora's Micah McGoldrick and Reporoa's Hadleigh Knight, among others, from snatching away his podium spot.

In the MX1 class this weekend, the maths charts get thrown out the window.

Aside from intervention by a rogue sniper, an outbreak of the plague or a tornado strike, one of just three men can win this premier title.

Mount Maunganui's defending national MX1 champion Cody Cooper and Australian pair Todd Waters and Dean Ferris are locked in an incredibly tight three-way battle.

Just five points separate this trio and the difference in each race between finishing first and third is exactly five points. It doesn't get much tighter than that.

So there you have it, the championship status in a nutshell.

Racing starts about 10am.