Two back-to-back South Island rounds wrapped up the 2025 New Zealand Cross County Championships last weekend, with the PWR Yamaha team riders finishing strongly.

The four-round series culminated near Gore with round three held on Thursday, March 20, and then the final round two days later on Saturday, March 22.

PWR Team Manager Paul Whibley said his young riders really put in determined riding efforts when it mattered.

“[Rotorua’s] Ethan Harris rode strong all season in the XC2 class on his Yamaha 250FX. A flat rear tyre in the last round meant he had to charge from the back to secure second overall in the XC2 class for the series. It was a very determined ride.”

Defending junior champion, Yamaha YZ250F rider Nixon Parkes, of Te Awamutu, dominated both rounds’ 90-minute junior races, with PWR Yamaha rider, Eketahuna’s Sheldon Brown on his tail.

“Sheldon pushed hard to keep Nixon honest in the Juniors. He finished up the series a strong second on the Saturday and runner-up overall Junior,” Whibley said.

Brown’s teammate Masterton-based Harvey Williams “has really stepped up,” Whibley said.

“His final placing doesn’t reflect his speed this season. Harvey was second overall at round three, but unfortunately a big crash at round four dropped him down the rankings for the season.”

“Overall, it was a great effort from the PWR Yamaha Team this season,” Whibley said.

The next major focus for the team will be the upcoming MotoSR GNCC Series.

2025 New Zealand Cross-Country Championships Calendar:

Round One – Friday, January 31, 2025, Waituna West

Round Two – Sunday, February 2, 2025, Waituna West

Round Three – Thursday, March 20, 2025, Gore

Round Four – Saturday, March 22, 2025, Gore