Enduro rider making his mark | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

KARL Roberts of Toko had made a rapid climb upwards in the world of motorbike enduro riding.
The 36-year-old dry-stock farmer is currently running third in New Zealand in his class at the 2010 Yahama National Enduro series.
Enduro riding is cross-country racing under pressure, competing on off-road tracks on circuits up to 40km long.
Stamina and fitness are the name of the game. The sport involves racing for up to six hours, often on difficult terrain plus undergoing special speed tests.
The racing is on forestry tracks and big stations all over the North Island and Karl rides in the under 250cc four stroke senior class. He rides a Yamaha YZF250.
Karl has only been competing in enduro racing for three years. He has been racing cross-country for five years but in 2007 he was invited to join the New Zealand enduro team heading to Australia. Karl finished ninth in his class and has been competing seriously in enduro since.
There are five rounds in the current national enduro series and there is only one to go, to be held at Taupo in June.
He was number three in his class last year and his aim is to keep his current position of third place in his class and 11th position overall.
“It’s pretty tough, you have to be fit. I’ve had a few falls but haven’t broken any bones yet, touch wood.”
He started off trail riding around Taranaki and enjoyed the challenge of that.
Now his lounge is full of cups, trophies and ribbons.
Karl is grateful for sponsorship from Union Yamaha and a group of Central Taranaki businesses that are helping meet his competition costs.