Husqvarna Hard Enduro the Ultimate Test   17 Oct 2016

Bikesport NZ

HUSQVARNA HARD ENDURO THE ULTIMATE TEST


Howick's Liam Draper (Husqvarna FE250), sure to be among the leading riders this weekend. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

OCTOBER 17, 2016: If ever there was a test to prove a rider's international potential, then next weekend's inaugural Husqvarna Hard Enduro near Tokoroa is probably it.

This ordeal of off-road motorcycle riding is loosely modelled on the famous Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro, held annually in the rugged Carpathian Mountains of Romania.

This Kiwi version of Romaniacs is set for the three days of Labour Weekend – Saturday, Sunday and Monday, October 22-24.

The treacherous forestry course near Tokoroa should be a near perfect match for what riders might expect if they ever travel to race the notorious Romanian event.

"Each day's tracks will be different, up to 150 kilometres in length, and will feature different levels of difficulty – set as gold, silver and bronze grades," said event organiser Sean Clarke.

"This event will not be a typical New Zealand hard enduro, were only a few manage to finish. It is an adventure enduro and each grade will be set to give riders a real sense of adventure, as well as testing their ability to complete the grade that they have entered.

"Riders will tackle different terrain each day – all in forestry around the Taupo, Tokoroa and Putaruru areas – riding on courses that we will have uploaded to their GPS devices."

The three-day event begins with a "prologue" in Tokoroa on Saturday, to qualify riders and to determine their start order for the main race on the two days that follow.

The prologue will be staged at the SatCo logging equipment yard in Tokoroa and if riders do not complete at least one lap of the prologue course they will receive a 30-minute penalty and will start at the rear of the field the following day.

The event is restricted to 100 entrants and riders will start one at a time, 30 seconds apart.

Among the entrants are expected to be the elite of New Zealand's off-road racing community, including current and former national enduro and cross-country champions and, if the saying is true that "you're only as good as your last race", then Howick's Liam Draper should be one of the key riders to watch out for.

Draper took his Husqvarna FE250 to a convincing win at the final round of the Dirt Guide Cross-country Series just over a week ago, riding on very similar terrain, also in the Tokoroa area.

He was chased all the way that day by eventual series winner Sam Greenslade (KTM), of Coatesville, with former Kiwi international Callan May (Yamaha), from Titirangi, not too far behind him.

Riders of this calibre can also be expected to feature near the front of this weekend's Husqvarna Hard Enduro, a talented starting line-up that will also include Kiwi former Romaniacs winner Chris Birch, of Glen Eden, and three visiting riders from Australia.

Clarke said gold grade riders can expect two hard days riding that will push them to their limits.

"Although not as hard as the Romaniacs event, it will still be a good work-out with a lot of trail riding between the hard bits. There will be between 6-8 hard sections each day.

Riding time for the fastest in this grade is expected to be between 5-6 hours with the last rider expected to arrive at the base after about eight hours.

All motorcycles must have a working headlight, tail light, spark arrestor and a fire extinguisher fitted. Although a paramedic and ambulance will be based at the main fuel stop, riders must also carry their own survival kits that include a cell phone, first aid kit, survival blanket, water, spare batteries and a tool kit.

Add a comment

News

Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students

29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more

New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process

7 Mar 2020 News By Rt HON WINSTON PETERS
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more

Business

NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19

17 Mar 2020 Business News By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more

NZ Government announces aviation relief package

19 Mar 2020 Business News By Hon Phil Twyford
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more

Living

Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London

6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall. It was the first... more

Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate

12 Jan 2022 Arts By Charlotte Everett
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...  New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more

Property

Fairer rules for tenants and landlords

17 Nov 2019 Property By Minister Kris Faafoi
17 NOVEMBER 2019 The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more

New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax

17 Apr 2019 Property By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more

Migration

Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued

19 Nov 2019 Migration By Hon Iain Lees-Galloway
19 NOVEMBER 2019 We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more

Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location

18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018 HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more

Travel

Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more

New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas more

Sport

The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners

27 Oct 2019 Cricket By Charlotte Everett
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more

PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final

26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more

Columns

Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade

11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade First published on Werewolf The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more

Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome

10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell   Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more

Kiwi Success

Congratulations to Loder Cup winner

26 Sep 2018 People By Hon Eugenie Sage
25 SEPTEMBER 2018 The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more

Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO

16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO HON JENNY SALESA Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more

Recruitment

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

14 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

22 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more