It will be the moment of truth for Aucklanders Chris Birch and Karl Power at round three of the New Zealand Motorcycle Enduro Championships in the King Country this weekend.
The pair each have a win under their belts in the Yamaha-sponsored series, Birch riding his KTM to outright victory and topping the over-200cc two-stroke class at round one near Dargaville in February, while Power rode his Husaberg to outright and over-300cc four-stroke class dominance at round two near Porirua last month.
Birch had to skip round two as wedding bells called to him -- the international star marrying his long-time girlfriend Monica that day -- and this allowed Power to swoop and take maximum honours at Porirua.
The two men will go head-to-head at Waimiha, between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui, on Saturday, although the tough-as-nails riders are actually chasing glory in different bike categories.
With the series reaching the halfway stage and only five of the six rounds to count for the title -- riders to drop their worst points scores -- it means the battle this weekend will be crucial.
The 26-year-old Birch has already been forced to reveal his ‰ÛÏsacrifice‰Û
