Aussie Semmens, third in
the National 125 Class
Lamont and into the overall
runner-up spot. Gibbs “played it
safe” and finished the day second
overall at Taupo, his 1-3-3 score-
card in the three MX1 races
enough for him to secure the title.
Meanwhile, another Australian
rider, Todd Waters (Honda),
appearing in only his second
round of the Kiwi domestic series
this year, finished on the podium
in Taupo, third overall for the
event, behind Cooper and Gibbs.
This was also enough for Waters
to force his way into 11th overall
for the series, despite contesting
only half the races.
In the MX2 (250cc) class, West
Auckland’s Hamish Harwood
(KTM) was the runaway winner.
With 11 wins from 12 starts in the
series, Harwood easily defended
his 2017 MX2 crown, also making it
three national MX2 titles in a row.
Runner-up was national
cross-country champion Brad
78 KIWI RIDER
Groombridge (Suzuki), the Taupo
man again showing his versatility,
while eventual third overall in the
MX2 class was another Australian
visitor, Jay Wilson (Yamaha), the
former Grand Prix star bouncing
back after several mechanical
set-backs earlier in the series.
The hunt for National 125cc class
honours was made a little easier
for Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis
when his nearest challenger,
Australian Mason Semmens,
MX1 start, Cooper leading Gibbs
crashed out of the first race at
Taupo and he took no further part
in the day’s racing.
This proved doubly costly for
Semmens, who not only had to
abandon his attack on Purvis, but
he also saw his runner-up spot
snatched away by hard-charging
Wairoa rider Tommy Watts
(Husqvarna). Semmens was
therefore forced to accept third
overall in the National 125cc class.