Motorsport: Taming the big bike and big rivals

An unusual ride on a big bike turned up trumps for Taupo teenager Brad Groombridge at the weekend.

The 17-year-old Kawasaki master took a Kawasaki KX450F to victory in the elite open class at the New Zealand TT Motorcycle Championships near Kuratau, at the southern tip of Lake Taupo.

It was only his second major outing on the hefty four-stroke and, though riding in freezing conditions on the snow-dusted paddock, the national 250cc No 4 had no trouble keeping warm as he tamed the big bike as well as some of the most famous names in New Zealand motorcycle racing.

Groombridge won the open class from Waikato's former Kiwi international Damien King (Yamaha) but he had to settle for runner-up spot behind the former motocross GP rider in the under-300cc four-stroke class.

Groombridge and King battled for the lead in both classes throughout the two-day event with yet another two-class ironman, Wellington's Jayden Jessup (Yamaha), who claimed the third step of the podium in both divisions.

"My hands were frozen on the handlebars but winning the title certainly made me feel warm inside," Groombridge said.

King's elder brother Darryll (Yamaha) won the 250cc two-stroke class but was out of luck in the veterans over-35 division after crashing out of one of the races. Taranaki's Greg Ngeru (Honda) won the class ahead of Auckland super motard specialist Toby Summers (Yamaha).

Taupo's Rodney Tomblin (Honda) won the over-40 veterans class.

Cameron Dillon (Honda) won the junior 12-16 years (125cc two-stroke and 250cc four-stroke) class, while fellow Mangakino rider Kayne Lamont (Yamaha) was runner-up. Lamont also tasted success in the 13-16 years (85cc two-stroke) class when he won the title ahead of fellow Yamaha rider Logan Blackburn. Otago's Courtney Duncan (Honda) won the 8-12 years 85cc class ahead of Atiamuri's Dion Picard (Suzuki).

The four-wheeled action was dominated by national ATV champion Quentin Palmer, the Suzuki rider from Taumarunui coming from behind to battle past Amberley's Ian Ffitch (Honda) for the open class ATV title.

Pukekohe teenager Annelise Kiely won the junior ATC title.