KIWI RIDER 12 2019 VOL2 | Page 24

A lthough the spectator numbers were considerably less than had been experienced in New Zealand in the past, the racing was, thankfully, still great entertainment and this gave a glimmer of hope to Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) motocross commissioner Ray Broad and MNZ supercross co-ordinator Jim Cooper. Both men spoke to the riders’ during their pre-race briefings to express their dismay at the turn-out, but, on the plus side, they also both said that they were impressed with the calibre of the riding that was on show at round one of the series at Winton and at the final round at Tokoroa. Oropi’s former national Supercross champion Ben Townley dominated the 450cc SX1 class at both rounds of the Transdiesel eni Lubricants-sponsored series, although Rangiora’s Cody Murphy was equally outstanding and went close to pinching wins from him on several occasions at Tokoroa. Sadly, these two were the only individuals to contest both rounds of the series and so, realistically, it could only really be one of these two riders who would in the SX1 title for 2019. “ THESE TWO WERE THE ONLY INDIVIDUALS TO CONTEST BOTH ROUNDS OF THE SERIES AND SO, REALISTICALLY, IT COULD ONLY REALLY BE ONE OF THESE TWO RIDERS WHO WOULD WIN THE SX1 TITLE FOR 2019 24 KIWI RIDER