Whibley hunts down second in US X-Country race

New Zealand's Paul Whibley is off to a flying start in the United States.

The Kawasaki star from Pahiatua, who finished runner-up in the prestigious American Grand National Cross-Country Championships (GNCC) last season, finished a close second at the opening round of this year's series near Orlando, in Florida, today.

The championship, which usually runs on a Sunday, was this time staged on Tuesday (USA time) as part of the big Daytona Bike Week celebrations.

It attracted near 300 of the world's leading off-road motorcycle racers and the tough-as-nails Kiwi (Geico Team Kawasaki KX450F) was quick to show that he means business when he powered his way through the field, clocking consistent lap times around the 30-minute mark over the tight, sandy, bushy and tree root-infested course.

Dubbed "The Axeman", the former Manawatu forestry worker came through the timing check-point in sixth place after the opening lap and steadily improved from there, moving up to fifth a lap later and then slotting into fourth position on lap three.

He was up to second spot by lap five and chasing down the man who led from the start, his former team-mate at Suzuki, American rider Charlie Mullins.

He eventually finished just over a minute behind the fast-starting Mullins but nearly two minutes clear of the next best rider, American KTM rider Nate Kanney.

Fourth was American former Grand Prix motocross star and former American national motocross champion Mike Brown (KTM).

Whibley was named New Zealand's Off-road Rider of the Year at a black-tie function in Auckland late last year and, following this success, he looms as an early favourite to perhaps clinch that honour again this season.

He is at least on target to equal or improve on his ranking in the GNCC series.