He has been swiftly working his way up the rungs and Taupo-based PWR Yamaha rider Wil Yeoman made it to the top of the New Zealand Cross Country Championship’s ladder, on Sunday.

The talented 18-year-old topped the overall Senior Expert standings and also finished first in the XC1 class at the third and final round at Tinui, near Masterton.

His stand-out victory was the culmination of a season that saw him finish the opening round in third and unbeaten at the second and third rounds.

“I was happy to get the win and happy to bring it home on the Yamaha YZ450FX to get the overall national championship and the class win as well,” says Wil.

The PWR Yamaha team had a successful 2023 national cross country series season with (from left) Charlotte Russ winning the Senior Women’s title, Wil Yeoman claiming his first Senior crown and Luke Brown finishing up third on the Senior podium. Photo credit: Jade Cvetkov Photography.

He was thrilled to get his name etched on the Senior winner’s trophy next to PWR Yamaha team mates, who have won it in previous years.

“To be there alongside Tommy Watts, 2021 and James Scott, 2022 who have won it the past few years - pretty cool.”

Yeoman adds that the win didn’t come easily for him, describing it as “a tricky day on the bike.”

“I got off to a poor start but managed to quickly make my way up towards the front and get in behind Callum Dudson not too far into the lap.

“Then it just started absolutely bucketing down for the Senior’s race.”

PWR Yamaha rider Luke Brown of Eketahuna rode his Yamaha YZ450FX to third place overall in the Senior New Zealand Cross Country Championships’ at Tinui, near Masterton on Sunday. Photo credit: Jade Cvetkov Photography.

Battling for three hours through copious mud and tree roots on the technical, lengthy 45-minute-long track, Yeoman never relinquished the lead once he had taken it.

He extended his gratitude to his key crew for backing him to take out the national cross country crown.

“Massive thanks to everyone that has supported me this year and that helps out with the PWR race team.

“Thanks to all my sponsors, my family and pit crew,” he says.

His PWR Yamaha team mate, Eketahuna’s Luke Brown finished third in the Senior race, overall in the series and also in the XC1 class.

“The last round of nationals was a good one. I got off to a good start and was sitting in second going into the track. I was right with the leaders up until a crash on the end of the first lap, which made me lose sight of them,” Brown says.

“Overall I’m wrapt with my result, especially with this being my first season on the Yamaha YZ450FX.”

His brother and PWR Yamaha Academy rider Sheldon finished the 90-minute Junior race in second place on his Yamaha YZ250FX and runner-up was also his overall series and class position.

PWR Yamaha’s Charlotte Russ made good on her promise to get back on top of the National Women’s standings, after finishing second at the previous round.

PWR Yamaha’s Charlotte Russ won the Senior Women’s race on her YZ125. Photo credit: Jade Cvetkov Photography.

“Sunday went well for me.

“As we were sitting on the line the rain started and didn't stop until the end of the race, which made the already technical track quite challenging.

“I was happy to win the women's class for the day and the overall for the series, since the points were very close,” she says.

PWR Team Manager Paul Whibley was proud of his riders following the final cross country round.

“As a team, the PWR Yamaha riders all represented extremely well.

“I’m stoked for Wil to put it all together and win the overall championship and for Luke to collect a series podium result.

“Charlotte toughed out a rough start to her race to recover well and claim another Senior Women’s Championship.”

“In the Juniors, Sheldon was close and never gave up pushing all the way to the end.

“Max Williams had a great return to racing, winning the 125 class yesterday and his brother Harvey finished inside the top 10 for the Junior championship. I’m really happy with the team’s performances,” Whibley says.

Yamaha Motor New Zealand Motorsport Manager Josh Coppins was pleased to see many Yamaha riders finishing high up in the final standings across the championship’s classes.

“Not only did Wil and Luke take out two spots on the Senior podium, along with the Women’s win for Charlotte, but we also had five Yamaha riders in the top 10 spots in the Junior category, which is encouraging for the future,” he says.

The PWR Yamaha team wishes their sponsors, supporters and fans a wonderful Christmas break and they look forward to returning to racing in February next year.

PWR Yamaha Academy rider Max Williams (#684) crosses a river at the final round of the New Zealand Cross Country Championships on Sunday. Photo credit: Jade Cvetkov Photography.

2023 NZ CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE RESULTS:

Expert
1st Wil Yeoman (YZ450FX) – 1st in class, XC1

2nd Callum Dudson

3rd Luke Brown (YZ450FX) – 3rd in class, XC1

28th Charlotte Russ (YZ125) – 1st in class, National - Women

Junior
1st Nixon Parkes (YZ250F) – 1st in class, Junior 250 4T

2nd Sheldon Brown (YZ250FX) – 2nd in class, 250 4T

3rd Max Williams (YZ125) – 1st in class, Junior 125 2T

7th Harvey Williams (YZ125) – 4th in class, Junior 125 2T

2023 NZ CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS:

Expert
1st Wil Yeoman (YZ450FX) – 1st in class, XC1

2nd Callum Dudson

3rd Luke Brown (YZ450FX) – 3rd in class, XC1

40th Charlotte Russ (YZ125) – 1st in class, National - Women

Junior
1st Nixon Parkes (YZ250F) – 1st in class, Junior 250 4T

2nd Sheldon Brown (YZ250FX) – 2nd in class, Junior 250 4T

3rd Millen Cargill (YZ250FX)

6th Harvey Williams (YZ125) – 3rd in class, Junior 125 2T

9th Max Williams (YZ125) – 6th in class, Junior 125 2T

2024 New Zealand Cross-Country Championships Calendar:

Round one - Friday, February 9, at Nelson

Round two - Sunday, February 11, at Nelson

Round three - Saturday, March 30, at Central Hawke’s Bay

Round four - Monday, April 1, at Bush Riders Club, at Tinui, near Masterton

PWR YAMAHA TEAM WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS:

Yamaha Motor New Zealand, Yamalube, bLUcRU, GYTR, YMF, YMI, MotoSR, Motomuck, Acen Seats, un4seen, Forma, Blur, Oneal, Kenda, Arai, IMS, USWE, Brownell Earthmoving & SC Creative.