The debut of the Adventure Bikes class in the 2024 Suzuki International Series delivered thrilling action, showcasing top talent and intense handlebar-to-handlebar racing in Taupo.

The racing across all categories at the first of three series rounds last weekend was fast and frenetic, with the newly introduced Adventure Bikes class proving no exception.

This eagerly awaited competition drew a mix of former and current New Zealand champions from various disciplines, making it a standout event.

Whanganui’s Richie Dibben led the pack, the current national supermoto champion, riding an 800cc parallel twin Suzuki V Strom.

Dibben qualified fastest and achieved an impressive 1-2-1 finish across three races, securing overall victory.

Close behind was Lower Hutt’s Sloan Frost, a multi-time former superbike champion, riding a 1050cc V-twin Suzuki V Strom.

Frost’s consistent 2-1-2 results earned him the runner-up position.

New Plymouth’s Rodney O’Connor, a multi-time New Zealand Formula Three champion, completed the podium on his GASGAS machine.

“The Adventure Bikes class all came about thanks to an idea from Suzuki New Zealand, and what a lot of fun it has been,” said Frost.

“I’ve raced all sorts of bikes over the years, and I always want to win, but this was a new experience for me to race an adventure bike.

I even rode the Suzuki V Strom into town in Taupo to pick up some things … it had a number plate and everything, so was totally road legal.”

Frost added, “Neither Richie nor I were sure what the limits of the bike might be, but we got progressively faster each occasion we were on the racetrack.

It’s such a forgiving bike and easy to ride.”

Series organiser Alan ‘Flea’ Willacy was thrilled with the reception to the new class.

“We can see this class growing in stature, with these bikes popular across the country and Suzuki leading the way with their V Strom model machine,” he said.

Dibben wasn’t done for the weekend, also competing in the supermoto class on a Suzuki RM-Z450.

However, he faced stiff competition from visiting British star Davey Todd, a 29-year-old Isle of Man class winner, also riding a Suzuki RM-Z450.

The two riders put on a spectacular show, battling handlebar-to-handlebar and leaving the rest of the field far behind.

Whakatane’s Mike Kyle secured third place in the supermoto class with consistent 3-3-3 finishes, while Roger Bland of Whanganui claimed fourth overall.

The series heads to Manfeild near Feilding for round two this coming weekend.

Fans can expect more exhilarating battles and daring moves as the riders pursue glory.