Buxton wins NZ Enduro Championships opener

It seems that history does repeat for Helensville dirt bike ace Tom Buxton.

The 2019 Yamaha-sponsored New Zealand Enduro Championships kicked off in the Thames-Coromandel District at the weekend with Buxton shining out among the talent-packed field on the premier AA course.

The 20-year-old won the corresponding opening round of the enduro nationals at this venue last season too and his victory at Whangamata on Saturday had all the same hallmarks of that, Buxton this time crossing the finish line a solid 28 seconds ahead of runner-up rider Dylan Yearbury, of Cambridge.

It was another impressive performance from Buxton, the young man in only his fifth season in the top grade of competition, but it's early days for the series and still anybody's guess as to who might win the title this year, with six more rounds still to be run.

One thing probably is certain though, there will be a different national enduro champion this season with last year's eventual outright winner, Taupo's Brad Groombridge, currently sidelined with injury and therefore a non-starter on Saturday.

However, there are still plenty of highly-skilled individuals capable of winning the crown in 2019.

Third overall in the Taungatara Forest, just north of Whangamata, on Saturday was Thames rider Jason Davis, the former national enduro champion back from retirement, with another former champion, Glen Eden's Chris Birch, finishing fourth and Whanganui's Seth Reardon rounding out the top five.

Leading riders on the A course on Saturday were Tokoroa's Jake Wightman, Thames rider Natasha Cairns, Te Hauautu's Elliot 'Superman' Kent, Masterton's Philip Bly and Putaruru's Phil Skinner.

It's interesting to note that Buxton's dad, John Buxton, finished sixth overall in the A Grade on Saturday, the sport obviously a real family affair for them.

"It was a fantastic day of racing and was very well run by the Thames Valley Motorcycle Club," said Motorcycling New Zealand enduro commissioner Justin Stevenson.

"It was great to see top championship riders from the past, men such as Jason Davis, Chris Birch and Elliot Kent, in action again. The conditions for riding were perfect and this event has a great reputation, probably contributing to their decision to show up."

The Yamaha and Mitas tyres-sponsored series will head down to the Kapiti Coast for round two on April 6.

The 2019 Yamaha NZ Enduro Championships are supported by Mitas tyres, Macaulay Metals, Best Build Construction, Silver-bullet, Kiwi Rider magazine, Dirt Rider Downunder magazine and Moto Events NZ.

2019 Yamaha NZ Enduro Champs calendar:

Round 1 – Saturday, March 16 – Thames

Round 2 – Saturday, April 6 - Kapiti

Round 3 – Saturday, April 20 – South Waikato

Round 4 – Sunday, June 9 – Martinborough

Round 5 – Saturday, June 29 – Bideford, Masterton

Round 6 – Friday, July 19 – Hokitika, Westland

Round 7 – Saturday, July 20 – Hokitika, Westland

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