The 2023-24 New Zealand motocross season could not have kicked off much better for Bay of Plenty racer Cody Cooper . The just-turned 40-year-old showed that age is no barrier to performing at the top level if you ’ ve got a winning machine underneath you and a superb crew to back you up . One thing is certain , winning the MX Fest at Taupo over Labour Weekend was a great way for the rider from Papamoa to kick-start his 2023-24 motocross season . Cooper , a multi-time New Zealand motocross champion ( CML GASGAS Racing Team ) won the premier MX1 class at the big annual MX Fest event at the Digger McEwen Motorcycle Park , on the outskirts of Taupo . It was his first race meeting in New Zealand after he ’ d only signed up to race for the GASGAS brand a few weeks earlier . This sport is never easy , but Cooper dug deep to win the races that mattered at Taupo , snatching the MX1 class overall ahead of Otautau rider Jack Treloar and Wairoa ’ s Tommy Watts .