WORDS: Andy McGechan
PHOTOS: Youthstream
2018 MX OF NATIONS
BRAVE SHOWING
FROM NZ TRIO IN
THE UNITED STATES
I AM A WALRUS, YOU ARE A MOLLUSC
gain it wasn’t easy and, let’s face
it, an event like this never is... but
New Zealand is back among the
top 20 nations in the motocross
world after a brave performance in
difficult conditions in the United States.
The 72nd annual Motocross of Nations –
an event often referred to as the Olympic
Games of motocross – was packed
with drama throughout the two days of
qualification and points race action at
the damp Red Bud circuit in Buchanan,
in Michigan, but the Penny Homes-
supported three-rider team from New
Zealand battled through to finish up 18th
out of the 30 countries represented.
Mount Maunganui’s Cody Cooper was
Team NZ’s designated MXGP class rider
and he finished 11th and 32nd in his two
outings.
Auckland-based former Takaka man
Hamish Harwood, the team’s MX2 (250cc)
class rider, was forced to withdraw from
the first of his two races when his bike’s
engine overheated, but he returned for
the next race and finished 29th out of the
38 riders who had started.
New Zealand’s Open Class rider, Mount
Maunganui’s Rhys Carter, crashed early
on Sunday morning, suffering a nasty
haematoma on his leg. He refused to
admit defeat, however, and lined up
regardless for the afternoon’s races.
Rather than not start, and therefore
accrue maximum penalty points, Carter
chose to “circulate and gain valuable
points” and his 37th and 35th placings
were enough to help boost New Zealand
above several of the other qualifying
countries.
The trio of riders representing France
– Gautier Paulin, Jordi Tixier and Dylan
Ferrandis – won the event outright, now
making it five consecutive years that
the French have claimed the coveted
Chamberlain Trophy.
Runners-up were Team Italy, with the trio
from The Netherlands claiming the third
podium spot. The host Americans were
well beaten on their home turf, forced to
settle for sixth overall.
“New Zealand can feel extremely proud of
what our riders achieved,” said Team New
Zealand co-manager Bevan Weal.
KIWI RIDER 27