Supercross Nationals full of surprises
by Andy McGechan , www . BikesportNZ . com
It was exciting , edge-of-the-seats action from start to finish in this season ’ s expanded New Zealand Supercross Championships and both the main protagonists could probably claim to be “ accidental champions ”, although nobody would bet against either of these men winning . It was extremely close racing at a rain-drenched and muddy round one in Tokoroa in late October and what followed at round two at Winton , just north of Invercargill , a week later was more of the same , albeit on dry dirt and under a warm skies . The eventual senior SX1 ( open class ) champion , Mount Maunganui ’ s Cody Cooper , and the SX2 ( 250cc ) title winner , Motueka ’ s Josh Coppins , both claimed to be surprised by the outcome . Cooper said he was actually in “ holiday mode ” and “ not really ready to race ”, while now-retired former champion Coppins was an unexpected lastminute draftee after his team ’ s SX2 rider withdrew with injury just the day before the kick-off .
Honda Racing Team CRF450F rider Cooper was in sensational form at both events and , although he didn ’ t manage a clean-sweep of wins in the premier SX1 ( 450cc ) class , the 34-year-old did win five of the six races and that was easily enough for him to secure the crown . He wrapped up the title by 12 points from Mangakino ’ s Kayne Lamont ( Altherm JCR Yamaha YZ450F ), the former national MX2 champion no doubt taking consolation from winning the final race of the series . Eventual third overall in the SX1 class this season was Ngatea ’ s Ben Broad ( Whyteline Kawasaki KX450F ). “ The supercross nationals were my first ride after having a month off and , officially , I ’ m still on holiday ,” said Cooper afterwards . “ It ’ s still a pity though that I didn ’ t win all the races . I knew that I had done enough already to win the championship title and I suppose I didn ’ t really need to win that last race anyway .” Meanwhile , former Grand Prix motocross
Cody Cooper
16 KIWI RIDER