Wiki eyes shot at national title

Jess Wiki has been on motorbikes since he was a toddler. And those nearly 20 years on the bike are paying dividends.

Hamilton's Wiki won the New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville last weekend ahead of fellow Hamilton rider and motocross legend Darryll King.

"The first time I rode a motorbike by myself, I was 2 1/2," he said.

"Dad put trainer wheels on it, I think I went straight into a fence."

Now the 22-year-old is ready for a shot at the national title and the accolades and opportunities that come with it.

The win on Saturday in "one of the biggest events of the year" holds Wiki in great stead going into the New Zealand championship at the end of the year, but before that is the Valley Championship in Morrinsville next weekend and the Auckland championship next month.

But it's an expensive sport and with little in the way of sponsorship money floating around, Wiki – like most other motocross riders – has to work hard to make ends meet and even harder to compete with factory riders for whom the money comes far easier.

So Wiki battles away "with the help of my wonderful sponsors," in the aim of making it to the top and being one of those factory riders.

"At this stage the bills come back to me and mum and dad," he said.

And that's the short term aim for Wiki.

To win a New Zealand championship is the top of the goal list and that would, hopefully, open up doors for Wiki – who still works full time for his father's business Waikato Scaffolding.

Competing in the United States is still a big goal for Wiki.

"I've always wanted to race in America.

"That'd definitely be a dream come true."

One of the keys to doing that is staying injury free, as Taupo former world champion Ben Townley knows only too well.

Wiki considers himself lucky so far.

"I've been okay, I've only broken three bones, my arm, my collar-bone and I dislocated my elbow."

Though motocross is growing in New Zealand, there are still few people to look up to for Wiki, especially as he's now competing with some of the best around.

"I get advice from some of the top guys, but now I'm racing against them it's a bit different," said Wiki who added his father Dean was his biggest influence and his mentor.

The Plug: "I'd like to thank my sponsors, The Honda Shop in TA, Dragon, No Fear, Alpinestars, Waikato Scaffolding, Action Tags and Infamous designs."

- © Fairfax NZ News