PURVIS
MX2
Also, as was probably expected, West
Auckland-based former Takaka man
Hamish Harwood wrapped up both the
MX2 (250cc) and MX125 titles at Taupo.
Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis held the
second position in the MX2 standings at
the start of the day at Taupo, albeit a long
way behind Harwood, but mechanical
failure in the day’s second MX2 race cost
him dearly and it was Taupo’s Wyatt Chase
who instead swooped in to take advantage
and snatch away the No.2 position for the
series, with Purvis eventually relegated to
third.
Another Australian visitor, Morgan
Fogarty, benefitted from Purvis’ demise
in race two to claim the MX2 battle-
within-a-battle for under-19 age group
honours, winning that ahead of Purvis and
Hamilton’s Reef Wheki.
125
In the 125cc class battles, dual-class
ironman Harwood was simply unstoppable.
He won all 12 of the 125cc races in this
series and easily took the crown ahead
of former national 125cc champion Ben
Broad, from Ngatea, with Rotorua’s Josh
Bourke-Palmer settling for third overall.
“It was a fantastic series,” said
Motorcycling New Zealand motocross
commissioner Ray Broad.
“The highlight for me was Cody Cooper
coming back in that last race, to close out
the New Zealand versus Australia combat.
Cooper did us proud. If Cooper had not
won that last race, then Gibbs would have
had the title on a count-back.
“To see the crowd getting up and cheering
him on and seeing the people hanging
over the fencing, then you know you’ve got
something special happening.”
Three of those riders who provided that
excitement now head overseas, hopeful
they can keep up their momentum.
Cooper heads to the United States where
he will contest the first three rounds of
the national motocross series there, while
Gibbs and Purvis are contracted to race the
Australian nationals.