News Release

Paul Whibley Saving his Best For Last

14 October 2008
He's certainly ringing alarm bells for his rivals as they contemplate another streak of wins by the Suzuki ace in America next season.
 
The former forestry worker from Pahiatua, known affectionately by his rivals as "The Axeman", has been almost untouchable in recent cross-country races in the United States.
 
He wrapped up the popular Off-road Motorcycle and ATV (OMA) cross-country series title in Missouri a week ago.
 
And, on Sunday, Whibley took his Suzuki RM-Z450 to a convincing win at the latest round of the prestigious Grand National Cross-Country (GNCC) series in the United States, leading a Suzuki 1-2-3-4 to the podium in the process.
 
The win at St Clairesville, Ohio, the 12th and penultimate round of the GNCC series, cements the New Zealand rider into the runner-up spot for the championship, although he'll have to be satisfied with that after Isle of Man giant David Knight had earlier wrapped up the title for 2008.
 
But there's still 2009 and, with a second year on the mighty fuel-injected RMZ450 Suzuki to look forward to, Whibley is already feeling confident he can tip Knight off the top step next season.
 
"I got a good jump off the line at Ohio on Sunday but American Nate Kanney spun sideways and came across and hit my front wheel, nearly taking me down.  So I ended up at the back of the pack rounding turn one.
 
"That's not where I wanted to be as the track was pretty dusty and passing was going to be really tough.  I made some passes during the course of the first lap and moved up, but I gained some serious time when Rodney Smith pointed out a hot line for us around one of the bog holes.  I think, by the end of the lap, I was up to fifth place."
 
Despite the billowing dust and congestion as some of the best off-road racers in the world battled for positions, Whibley snatched the lead two laps later.
 
"Midway through the last lap, I had a crash and lost about 20 seconds when I hit a lapper and shot over a bank.  I got going again and made it to the pits with about a 30-second lead.  I left the pits and rode hard the last three miles to the finish and took my third GNCC win of the season.
 
"It was a good day for Team FMF Suzuki. We swept the top four positions overall and we were also all riding the awesome RM-Z450 bike."
 
Results from round 12 of the GNCC series:
 
1st: Paul Whibley (New Zealand, Suzuki)
2nd: Josh Strang (Australia, Suzuki)
3rd: Charlie Mullins (United States, Suzuki)
4th: Jimmy Jarrett (United States, Suzuki)
5th: Nate Kanney (United States, KTM)