MARCH 9, 2009: He came, he saw, he conquered once more … and Australian Robbie Budgen hasn’t finished beating up the Kiwis yet, not by a long way.

Bugden made it three in a row as he successfully defended his New Zealand Superbike Championships title at Pukekohe’s fifth and final round on Sunday and then turned his mind to thinking about plans for taking a fourth consecutive Kiwi title in 2010.

The Suzuki rider from Brisbane first won the premier Kiwi motorcycle road-race crown in 2007, defended his title in 2008 and, to further underline his dominance, Bugden's hat-trick win this season looked to be his most comprehensive yet.

Bugden won both superbike races at Pukekohe on Sunday, the second race victory also earning him the New Zealand TT title.

He finished the five-round, 10-race series a comfortable 29 points ahead of the next best rider, fellow Suzuki star Andrew Stroud, of Hamilton, with another Australian, Queensland's Gareth Jones taking the third spot on the podium.

The 29-year-old Bugden said he loved his time in New Zealand and has vowed to return and race the Kiwi tracks again next year.
“No plans are in place yet but I love racing here and I definitely want to come back and make it four (title wins)."
Stroud raced an identical GSXR1000 to 2-2 placings at Pukekohe, sealing the runner-up spot in the glamour superbike class.

It was a repeat of the Suzuki 1-2 result that Bugden and Stroud had notched up last season, with Jones also finishing third for the second consecutive year.

“At times I felt I was closing in on Robbie, but he doesn’t make many mistakes and I guess I have to settle for the No.2 spot again,” Stroud shrugged.

“I don’t think I was sharp enough near the end of the races this season and I also perhaps underestimated the determination of the two Australians to win here,” said the 41-year-old father-of-seven.

Seven-time former champion Stroud, too, said he also planned to return and race again next season.

“I love racing the Brother Suzuki and it’s an honour to ride for my sponsors and fans.”

There were also exceptional performances in the 600cc sports production class from Christchurch Suzuki men Jimmy Smith and Dennis Charlett, who finished the series ranked second and fourth overall respectively. The class was won by dual-class man Jones.

Although Jimmy Smith takes the No.2 spot for the second consecutive season – last year he was runner-up to Charlett – he said his result this season was “much more satisfying”.

“I never want to come second but I am happy that I have been consistently faster this year,” said Smith.

“It was always close racing between me and Gareth (Jones). He never ran away and left me behind.
“You’ve got to remember too that Gareth came here after a full season racing professionally in Europe. I work as a printer Monday to Friday and most Kiwis come cold into a series like this,” said Smith.

Suzuki riders also hogged the podium in another two classes, with Manawatu’s Glen Williams and Taranaki’s Terry Fitzgerald finishing on top in the formula three class and Tauranga’s Sam Love wrapping up the Pro Twins with a race to spare.

It was a Suzuki 1-2-3 in the Pro Twins class with Dannevirke’s Geoff Booth settling for runner-up position and Christchurch's Patrick Jones taking third. Love also won the TT title in the formula three class.