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