It could be considered a case of "while the cats are away, the mice will play", but just don't tell that to the racers who do show up for the third and final round of the 2022 Forestland Cross-country Series this weekend.

Even though the two individuals who dominated rounds one and two of this popular annual series – Taupo's Wil Yeoman and Oparau's James Scott respectively – are now away on an overseas racing assignment, the same talented group of Kiwi-based riders who kept these international stars honest will again be out in force on the forest tracks near Atiamuri on Saturday.

Yeoman and Scott, plus about a dozen other top New Zealand riders too, will be racing at the International Six Days Enduro in France, starting on Monday, August 29, and the logistics of that obviously meant they could not also attend the Forestland Cross-country Series competition this weekend.

But that won't lessen the excitement or spectacle of this weekend's race action at Ohakuri, near Atiamuri, about halfway between Taupo and Tokoroa.

In fact, New Zealand has such an abundance of accomplished dirt bike racers, with riders such as Wellington's record eight-time national moto trial champion Jake Whitaker and Palmerston North's three-time former American cross-country champion Paul Whibley, as well as top cross-country and motocross racing regulars such as Whitianga's Blake Wilkins, Tauranga's Damon Nield, Auckland's Ryan Hayward, Rotorua's Daniel Bates and New Plymouth's Sam Parker, among others, all certain to set the tree-lined pathways alight, only figuratively-speaking of course.

The Forestland Cross-country Series is not a new competition, but rather a tried-and-true and extremely popular competition that has merely undergone a re-branding this year – it was formerly called the Dirt Guide Cross-country Series – so riders will feel entirely at home on the forestry course at Ohakuri.

A large turn-out is expected at Ohakuri on Saturday and Forestland Cross-country Series organiser Sean Clarke, himself a former medal-winning rider at ISDE events in past years, said he expects the forest course will "be a great test for riders and machinery too".

The Forestland series caters for cross-country riders aged from as young as seven, through teenagers, adult men and women and to the upper age brackets too, with veteran riders in their 60s, or even older, all keen to join in.

The popularity of this domestic competition, which features a 90-minute junior race followed soon afterwards by a two-hour senior race, includes separate trails that will cater for all levels of confidence and ability.

A social trail ride event is scheduled to run at the same venue the following day too.

Saturday's event could perhaps be an ideal opportunity for the lesser or beginner riders to learn from the masters, before putting into effect the skills they've learned during the trail ride on Sunday.

The Forestland Cross-country Series is supported by Forbes and Davies, Kiwi Rider magazine, Forest Trail Events, Satco Logging Equipment, O'Neal apparel, Ogio, Arai helmets, Metzeler tyres, Muc-Off, Maxi Grip, Maxima Oils and Husqvarna motorcycles.

2022 Forestland Cross-country Series calendar:

Round 1, Tar Hill, July 16-17 (race Saturday and then trail ride the following day);

Round 2, Ohakuri, August 13-14;

Round 3, Ohakuri, August 27-28 (race Saturday and then trail ride the following day).

-Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com