Australian Kirk Gibbs ( GASGAS , left ) interviewed by commentator Neil Ritchie after he won the first major silverware of the 2024-25 New Zealand motocross season , the Nicky Smith Memorial trophy , at Taupo ’ s MX Fest . Centre is runner-up Maximus Purvis ( Yamaha ) and third-placed rider was Cody Cooper ( GASGAS , right )
the 450cc machinery of Gibbs and Purvis , but he still did have plenty celebrate as he won the MX2 ( 250cc ) class outright on Sunday . Cooper won the MX2 class ahead of Cambridge ’ s Jared Hannon ( KTM ) and Pukehina ’ s Flynn Watts ( Yamaha ). Other senior class winners at the weekend were Te Awamutu ’ s Joel Hansen ( veterans ’ 35-44 years ); Whakatane ’ s Darren Capill ( veterans ’ over- 45 years ); Auckland ’ s Jayden McKenzie ( MX3 ). Junior class winners at the weekend were Ohau ’ s Phoenix Van Dusschoten ( 14-16 years ’ 250cc ); Oropi ’ s Levi Townley ( 12-13 years ’
125cc ); Oropi ’ s Jaggar Townley ( 12-16 years ’ 85cc / 150cc ); Hamilton ’ s Nico Verhoeven ( 8- 11 years ’ 85cc ); Matamata ’ s Henry Millar ( 8-11 years ’ pro 65cc ); Raetihi ’ s Karaitiana Horne ( women ); Auckland ’ s Mikayla Matthews ( women 12-16 years ’ 85cc / 125cc ); Te Awamutu ’ s Mila Richmond ( 8-11 years ’ 85cc ). Significantly , it was a double celebration for the host Taupo Motorcycle Club at the weekend , marking off 50 years since the creation of the club and also ticking off 40 years of hosting its signature Labour Weekend MX Fest extravaganza .
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