Kelly and Kawasaki Dominate At Bel Ray
Kelly and Kawasaki Dominate At Bel Ray
DECEMBER 2, 2013: Te Kuiti's Sean Kelly has a message for his rivals ... "you'd better take me seriously".
The 15-year-old Kawasaki ace was runaway winner of the 90-minute junior race at the opening round of the Bel Ray Cross-country Championships near Huntly on Sunday, winning the marathon by more than a minute from Pukekawa's Isaac Clark, with Gisborne's Duncan Summerfield taking the third spot on the podium.
Best of the Junior 85cc class riders was Hamilton's Luke Taylor, who finished 15th overall in the junior race.
But it was Kawasaki rider Kelly who raised the most eyebrows.
"The bike started first kick, but I got a little bit enthusiastic on the throttle and got the rear wheel spinning," he explained.
That meant he was only in 15th place as the riders headed out onto the main part of the track.
"I just settled into a rhythm and started working through the traffic, although I got stuck behind a few riders among the tight stuff in the trees,” said Kelly, a year 10 pupil at Te Kuiti High School.
Kelly had the lead by the end of the first lap and took the lead when Clark made a mistake and shot off the track.
"I actually shot off the track myself later in the race and he passed me back. Then I had quite a long pit stop for refuel, but I soon caught and passed Isaac (Clark) to retake the lead."
Kelly then took a long pit stop and this cost him dearly, but, once back on track, he was quickly back onto the rear wheel of Clark and was soon back into the lead.
"I won the Bel Ray before, in the junior 85cc class, a few years ago, but it's certainly great to win again now."
Credit: Words by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
ENDS