Wanganui flyer Richie Dibben returned home earlier this year to prepare to defend his Suzuki Series Supermoto title for the third time, but may not have it all his own way.
The 25-year-old already has the 2012 and 2013 trophies in his cabinet after winning the three meeting series on his CRF450 Honda and initially looked to have the upcoming championship at his mercy with several of his closest rivals opting for other classes this year.
However, since arriving back from his annual off-season trip to England on Friday, Dibben has already heard fellow Wanganui racer Aden Brown is off to a flying start on the former Jayden Carrick Suzuki RNZ450.
Brown finished fifth in his Supermoto debut after last season's Suzuki Series on a Yamaha RNZ450, a machine most experts agree is no match for his latest bike.
Suzuki Series promoter Allan "Flea" Willacy said Brown was impressing by easily winning the Victoria competition rounds at Manfield in the lead-up to round one of the Suzuki Series at Hampton Downs on December 7. Round two is set for Manfield a week later on December 14, while the traditional Cemetery Circuit in Wanganui on Boxing Dayhosts the final round.