Motocross riders throughout New Zealand and further afield from Australia and Japan have been building towards this weekend’s opening round of the 2025 Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championship.
All their training and hard work will be put to the ultimate test as they line up in the starting gate against their class rivals at Tect Park in Tauranga this Saturday.
The venue is new to the motocross championship and Motorcycling New Zealand Sponsorship and Media Manager Sarah Lindup says the first-round hosts Tauranga Motorcycle Club “have done amazing work and the track is looking great.”
She has seen an increase in entries from 2024, which is a great sign that motocross is continuing to grow in popularity as a sport.
“Our riders are all looking forward to kicking off the series on Saturday,” Lindup says.
Motorcycling New Zealand Operations Manager Vicky Hicks adds that “the organisation’s team can’t wait to watch the talent from across New Zealand, over the four rounds of the 2025 Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championship, showcasing the skill, and passion that define this incredible sport.”
“A huge thank you to the host clubs and the countless volunteers whose tireless hours and commitment not only make this championship possible but also support the growth and success of the sport itself. Without their dedication, we wouldn’t have the remarkable motocross events that bring us all together.”
With the 2025 entries confirmed for the Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championship’s flagship MX1 class, it is set to be an all-out battle for top-tier glory between current national No.1 Hamish Harwood, of Takaka, and Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis, who won the title in 2023. This season’s Woodville GP winner, Purvis missed last season’s New Zealand championship while recuperating from a knee injury. Jostling these two motocross titans for victory will be Kiwi international, Mount Maunganui’s Josiah Natzke.
A trans-Tasman contingent of Australian riders could ruffle some Kiwi feathers with Caleb Ward, Jesse Bishop and Mitch Norris all competing aboard MX1 machines.
Another international in the mix is Japan’s Haruki Yokoyama, who will be riding a Honda CRF450R in the New Zealand MX1 Championship.
His compatriots from Yamaha Japan – Junya Tanaka and Souya Nakajima – have been training with Altherm JCR Yamaha Team Manager Josh Coppins over the past month and are racing in the MX2 category.
Oparau’s James Scott returns to defend his 2024 MX2 title and will be up against the 2025 Woodville’s 250cc class winner Auckland’s Cobie Bourke and multi-time New Zealand champion Cody Cooper, of Opotiki.
Taihape’s Hayden Smith, Tauranga’s Madoc Dixon, Cambridge’s Jared Hannon, Te Puke’s Flynn Watts, Taupo’s Brad Groombridge, Tauranga’s Jack Coleman, Karaka’s Hayden Draper, New Plymouth’s Rian King and Te Awamutu’s Nixon Parkes will be all doing their utmost to tip the front-running trio off the MX2 podium.
Headlining the MX125 class and fresh off his debut win in this senior class at the Woodville GP last month, is Tauranga’s hometown boy Levi Townley. This talented youngster won the World 85cc Championship title last year but will be up against some tough Kiwi competition over the New Zealand Championship’s four rounds, which includes Levin’s 2024 junior New Zealand champion Phoenix Van Dusschoten and Auckland’s Jack Ellingham.
The non-championship MX3 class features just over 30 entries, while 13 females are signed up for the Women’s championship class. Likely to be among the podium fight are the five riders selected to represent New Zealand at the 2025 FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup in Australia near the end of March – Raetihi’s Karaitiana Horne, Amie Roberts (Hamilton), Olivia Bodle, of Cambridge, Mikayla Griffiths (Taupo) and Nelson’s Milla Dahlenberg.
After Saturday’s opening round, the 2025 Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championship moves to Rotorua a week later where the second round will be held at the Rotorua Motocross Track on February 22. A fortnight break follows before the Pukekohe Motorcycle Club-hosted third round heads north to Mr Motorcycles Raceway, Harrisville for Saturday, March 8.
An alternative club has been found to host the final round of the championship, with the Rotorua Motorcycle Club stepping in. It will take on the responsibility of hosting not only the second round of the championship but also the final on Saturday, March 15, with the series prize giving taking place that evening.
CAPTION: Tauranga’s Levi Townley will be racing on familiar ground as he makes his debut in the 2025 Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championship’s MX125cc class at his home track Tect Park, Tauranga, on Saturday. PHOTO CREDIT: CD PHOTOGRAPHY.
2025 Yamaha Motor New Zealand Motocross Championship calendar:
15th February 2025 – R1 NZMX Nationals (Tauranga)
22nd February 2025 – R2 NZMX Nationals (Rotorua 1)
8th March 2025 – R3 NZMX Nationals (Pukekohe)
15th March 2025 – R4 NZMX Nationals (Rotorua 2)