It’s job done for Whakatane’s Mitch Rees after the first of three races and the first of two days of racing at the fourth and final round of the 2025 New Zealand Superbike Championships in Taupo.
The 32-year-old took his Team Rees Honda CBR1000 to qualify fastest in the premier 1000cc superbikes class at Taupo today and then convincingly won the sole superbike race of the day.
This was enough to give him a 74-point advantage over his nearest challenger Alastair Hoogenboezem with just two superbike races left to run today – but there are only 25 points available for a win in each case (a total of only 50 points available for Hoogenboezem should he be able to win both races today).
Of course this means Rees can’t be caught, no matter what happens today, and with nine wins (and a sole runner-up finish) for Rees from 10 starts thus far, it’s apparent he has been virtually unstoppable this season.
Check back here during the week as we bring you the full story of the weekend when it all winds up in Taupo this afternoon.
DATES FOR 2025 NZ SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS SEASON:
Round 1, Feb 7-9, 2025, Teretonga Park, Invercargill (part of Burt Munro Challenge week);
Round 2, Feb 14-15 (Friday and Saturday), 2025, Levels International Motor Raceway, Timaru;
Round 3, March 8-9, 2025, Hampton Downs (MotoFest);
Round 4, March 15-16, 2025, Taupo (MotoMania).
© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
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