The National Club Enduro Series (NCES) reaches its halfway stage this weekend, with round three set to ramp up the battle for overall honours as the off-road motorcycle competition heads into its decisive second phase.

More than 150 riders are expected to converge on a new venue at Atiamuri, south of Tokoroa, on Saturday for what shapes as a pivotal round in the four-event series run by the Forestland Motorcycle Club.

With two rounds remaining, title contenders know there is little room for error.

The series opened near Kāwhia at Oparau in late January before round two was staged at Tar Hill on April 11. With consistent results proving crucial, leading riders will be under pressure as targets grow on their backs heading into the business end of the championship.

Rotorua’s Callum Dudson claimed overall victory at the opening round, finishing ahead of Ōparau’s Hunter Scott and New Plymouth’s Sam Parker. Taupō’s Wil Yeoman struck back in round two, winning at Tar Hill from Parker, with Dudson in third.

All four riders are expected to be among the frontrunners again in the premier Expert Grade at Atiamuri.

They will face stiff competition from the likes of New Plymouth’s Blake Lusk and Thames rider Chris Birch, a former international champion and multiple New Zealand title-holder, who have added further depth to the elite field.

In the Intermediate Grade, Gisborne’s Angus Thomas has emerged as the standout performer, winning both opening rounds and entering Saturday’s event as the rider to beat. He can expect challenges from Whangaparāoa’s Nathan Refoy and Ōtorohanga’s Max De Malmanche.

The Youth Grade is shaping up as a competitive category. Rotorua’s Dominic Spanbroek leads the standings after winning round two, with Raglan’s Riley Shaw and Rotorua’s Lukas Bjarnason completing the podium. Spanbroek moved to the top of the leaderboard after round-one winner Hadlee Fowler did not compete at Tar Hill.

Saturday’s race is being organised by Tokoroa enduro veteran Sean Clarke, a multi-time New Zealand champion and four-time medallist at the International Six Days Enduro.

Clarke said the club-based series had built on its popularity from last year, with a format designed to be accessible while still providing a challenge.

“The courses are rideable, with manageable section times, but there’s still plenty there to test riders,” he said. “The terrain is mostly forest tracks, which should make for exciting racing.”

Saturday’s event will be signposted from State Highway 1.

The fourth and final round of the series is scheduled for June 20 at Ohakuri, near Atiamuri, where the 2026 champions will be crowned.

NCES CALENDAR:

Round one: February 28, Oparau;

Round two: April 11, Tar Hill, Tokoroa;

Round three: May 16, Atiamuri;

Round four: June 20, Ohakuri, Atiamuri.

– By Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com