KIWI RIDER 03 2019 VOL.2 | Page 26

COOPER for the fourth and final round, on March 10. “I felt good in the last race and put myself in a good position, but I guess I should have put some fresh rubber on the bike. I’m gutted actually. The tyre was good for the first two races, but I should have put a new rear tyre on before that last race. “Hey, I’m having little problems like this and I’m still leading the series, so I’m happy about that. “I’m just looking forward to having no problems and getting a clean sweep. I’m looking forward to Taupo. I ride well there. “The engine is completely stock and I got three holeshots today. I can’t believe how good this engine is.” MX2 HARWOOD SITTING PRETTY AT THE TOP OF TWO CATEGORIES West Auckland’s Hamish Harwood moved to just a handful of races away from 26 KIWI RIDER clinching two national motocross titles this season after the third round of four at Pukekohe in late February. The 23-year-old builder from Royal Heights took his CML Makita KTM Racing Team bikes into battle in two separate classes at round three in the Fox- sponsored 2019 New Zealand Motocross Championships near Pukekohe and further strengthened his position at the top of both categories. Harwood (KTM 250F) had been under pressure from visiting Australian MX2 (250cc) champion Wilson Todd (LMC Husqvarna 250F) in the MX2 class battles at rounds one and two of the series – and Todd actually won the opening MX2 race at race at Pukekohe too – but then the 20-year-old from Cairns came unstuck in race two, crashing out while battling with Harwood for the lead, and he took no further part in the day’s action. With Harwood continuing on to win race two and then settling for third in