Motorsport: Kiwi ace picks up pace with sights on crown

Pahiatua's Paul Whibley (Yamaha) is still within striking distance of the top spot in the GNCC series in the US. Photo / Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ

New Zealand's Paul Whibley is another step closer to reclaiming the No1 spot in the United States.

He raced his Yamaha to a fourth consecutive title win in the popular Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV (OMA) series in Erie, Illinois, just a few weeks ago, but has now switched his focus back to the main competition on the US off-road calendar; the Grand National Cross-Country (GNCC) series.

With one American title under his belt, the man from Pahiatua was determined to make an impact in the closing stages of the parallel GNCC series, clawing back his points deficit and putting himself in an ideal spot to challenge for the GNCC title he last won outright in 2009.

At the 10th round of the GNCC round at St Clairsville, Ohio, the New Zealand ace was again locked in a fierce battle for the lead. Whibley took his Yamaha YZ450F to a solid fourth overall, behind American riders Kailub Russell, Charlie Mullins and Thad Duvall - but ahead of Australian Josh Strang. This was significant because defending champion Strang, who is just ahead of Whibley in the series standings, lost ground on the Kiwi.

Whibley has now closed up from seven points adrift to within five points of Strang in the fight for the No2 spot.

However, Mullins finishing runner-up at Ohio means he has now padded his series lead out to 31 points over Strang and 36 over Whibley.

Just two rounds remain in the 2011 series and Whibley remains third overall, but he is still within striking range of the two men ahead of him.

Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi Rory Mead, Yamaha's 2011 New Zealand Enduro Champion, enjoyed a stint of GNCC action during the final phase of this competition and finished fourth overall in the 250cc division at St Clairsville.

In his rare appearances in the US, Mead has split his time between campaigning a 450cc and 250cc bike. This means he is unable to feature near the top of either the XC1 (450cc) or XC2 (250cc) categories. But it is all part of his long-term plan to prepare himself for a full season in the US.