IT was just like the start of 2025; hot and unpredictable.

It was a very dry race on Tuesday 11 February but the tracks seem to be holding up after the early season maintenance.

The surface was a mixture of rock, loose rock, hard pack, loose hardpack (sand) and marbles.

So traction was key.

There was a close tussle for positions 1 and 2 with Ryder taking the win by 1 second over Archie on his new bike (Ryder also on a new bike but it was an XC bike, so it doesn’t really count).

Cam Dodson took 3rd with Stu Clark coming 2 sec behind Cam in 4th.

Maybe Stu should try and keep his wheels on the ground as the unauthorised landing in soft sand may have cost him a position.

Rounding out the top 5 was Spencer Carmen.

In the family battles Ben Ross prevailed over Tim, again!

Nicole Hoebergen just pipped Cooper by 1 second.

Next week it’s back to the cross country pain cave.