Moto-Cross Rider Returns

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32164, 6 December 1969, Page 14

Moto-Cross Rider Returns

G. J. Stapleton, one of New Zealand's outstanding motorcycle scramble riders, returned to Christchurch lest evening for a visit after more than two years of competition in Britain and Europe. Stapleton will contest the Bothmans-sponsored New Zealand international moto-cross series next month and also plans to ride in as many other events as possible during his stay. He will return to England In

lata February ar early March to ride for his new sponsors, the German Malco firm, but will return to live Ln New Zealand at the end of the British season. When asked how much he felt the British and continental competition bad improved his riding, the typically modest Stapleton, now with his hair at near shoulder-length and wearing Carnaby Street fashion clothes, replied that his improvement was not greatly noticeable to him. However, the fact that he rode among larger and higher class fields under constant pressure, meant that he now committed fewer mistakes when

-riding, he said. In Britain, a race might attract as many as 400 starters, with perhaps SO leading riders amongst them. This meant obtaining a good start if a rider were to have a chance of winning. The continental racing was dlfterent from the British, Stapleton said. The fields were much smaller, perhaps of only 20 riders, the paee was consequently much faster, and far better prise money was offered. Stapleton rode against the famous Belgian rider, J. Eaberre, the 250 c.c. world champion for the past four years, in the Belgian national championships. Raberre won the event, In which only four of 38 starters finished because of the atrocious conditions.

The British riders, D. Bickers and G. Smith, should dominate the moto-cross series next month, Stapleton said. Biekers Is one of the leaders In the present United States International series. Stapleton has competed against these two on one occasion each. Smith beating him In Switzerland.

Another rider who will do well is the veteran New Zealander, H. Anderson, who Is leaving the Netherlands on Sunday to compete in the New Zea-

land series. He Is riding a C.Z.i and performing extremely well, Stapleton said. Stapleton's 360 c.c. Malco will arrive in New Zealand on January 4, but his 250 e.c. and 360 e.c. C.Z.’a are still Ln Australia because of customs difficulties. The Malco has been ridden continuously for the past nine months and badly needs some attention, he said. In the last eight months. Stapleton has been racing and working as a part-time mechanic. Before that he was employed by the Commerford factory in Surrey. Over the last two years he had won "about a dozen" trophies, for a second place In the Scottish championships and wins in several provincial events. But he found that he was usually only a good rider amongst many good riders competing for the minor placings.