I
t was probably only a two or maybe a three-
horse race, but what a race it was. Mount
Maunganui man Cody Cooper took his trusted
Motul Honda CRF450 into battle at this year’s
Fox apparel-sponsored series knowing full well
that he was a target, the No.1 emblazoned on his
bright red bike the treasured reward for anyone
who could beat him.
With his winning of seven MX1 titles over the
past nine years – his first one in 2011 – it was
always going to be a tough assignment for any
rider hoping to take that prize away from the
Honda star.
Cooper’s title defence this season got off to a
rollicking start when he completely dominated
the day at the series opener at Balclutha in
early February, his hat-trick of wins on the
previously-untested circuit sending a clear
message to his rivals.
But his nearest challenger, Australian
professional Kirk Gibbs (Altherm JCR Yamaha
YZ450F), struck back at round two near Rotorua
exactly a month later, clawing to within six points
of championship leader Cooper.
Round three at Fernhill was a disaster for
Cooper, as Gibbs scored his first hat-trick of wins
and also took over the series lead.
So when the riders arrived at Taupo’s Digger
McEwen Motorcycle Park for the final round,
Gibbs was five points ahead of Cooper and there
was still everything to fight for.
Cooper led from the start of Taupo’s first MX1
race and looked strong in front, until about two-
thirds of the way through the race when forearm
muscle fatigue (“arm pump”) became a problem
for him and he slipped back to finish third, behind
Gibbs and West Auckland’s Hamish Harwood
(CML Racing Team KTM350F).
KIWI RIDER 25