It’s a massive rush for glory as the premier MX1 class riders charge out of the first turn at Woodville on Sunday. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
The racing was intense at the weekend’s 59th annual New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville.
And if what transpired at the Honda-sponsored spectacular two-day event east of the Manawatu Gorge is a foretaste of what’s to come at the FOX-sponsored senior New Zealand Motocross Championships, that kick off at Balclutha next weekend and the junior nationals in April, then motocross fans are in for an extremely hot season.
The Woodville GP is the biggest two-day motocross event in New Zealand and typically attracts full fields of riders and a bumper crowd, an indicator that motocross numbers are growing across all classes, including juniors, and the sport is looking extremely healthy.
A huge number of Australian riders made the trip to Woodville this year, continuing the high interest that is traditionally shown in this event from across the Tasman Sea.
Next year’s Woodville motocross will be the 60th annual event and special celebrations are being planned for that.
Auckland’s Hamish Harwood dominated the premier MX1 class at Woodville during Sunday’s senior race action, claiming his first Woodville crown as he became the 33rd different overall winner of the iconic event.
The 24-year-old builder from Royal Heights lodged a 1-1-2 score-card from his three MX1 class races on Sunday, edging out Australian visitor Kirk Gibbs (who finished 2-2-1) and Waitakere’s Ethan Martens (5-4-3) for the podium positions.
Defending Woodville champion and current national MX1 champion Cody Cooper, from Mount Maunganui, appeared out of sorts as he was still dealing with a neck injury that he suffered two weeks ago and he settled for fourth overall, albeit just three points off a podium result.
This foursome will reignite their battles at Balclutha this coming Saturday – joined by the rest of the nation’s elite racers – and it is sure to be an intriguing competition, with Cooper assuring that he will be much closer to full fitness.
With 49 riders lining up for the MX2 (250cc class), the morning’s qualifying was intense and, indeed, so was the racing that ensued on Sunday afternoon.
Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis won the senior MX2 class with a similar 1-1-3 score-card, with Taupo’s Wyatt Chase and Mount Maunganui’s Josiah Natzke completing the MX2 podium.
Talent ran especially deep in the MX2 class with Kiwi international Dylan Walsh, Australian Morgan Fogarty and another Kiwi international, Oparau’s James Scott, rounding out the top six.
“Once again the host Manawatu-Orion Motorcycle Club has run an excellent event this year,” said Motorcycling New Zealand motocross commissioner Ray Broad.
“The racing was super competitive throughout all the classes.”
Other class winners in the senior grades on Sunday were Tauranga’s Brodie Connolly (senior 125cc class and Roddy Shirriffs Memorial Trophy winner); Australian Charli Cannon (women’s class); New Plymouth’s Mitch Rowe (Veterans); Palmerston North’s James Galpin (River Race).
Class winners in the junior grades, raced on Saturday, were Auckland’s Cobie Bourke (14-16 years’ 250cc class); Tauranga’s Brodie Connolly (15-16 years’ 125cc class); Te Puke’s Kyan Loomans (12-14 years’ 125cc class); Invercargill’s Jack Symon (14-16 years’ 85cc class); Waitoki’s Cole Davies (12-13 years’ 85cc class); Invercargill’s Seth Morrow (8-11 years’ 85cc class); Tauranga’s Levi Townley (8-11 years’ 65cc class).
There will be little rest for many of the riders, with the first of four rounds in this year’s FOX-sponsored senior New Zealand Motocross Championships kicking off in Balclutha, near Invercargill, this coming Saturday.
2020 FOX New Zealand Motocross Championships calendar:
Round 1 – Balclutha, Saturday, February 1;
Round 2 – Rotorua, Sunday, February 23;
Round 3 – Hawke’s Bay, Sunday, March 1;
Round 4 – Taupo, Sunday, March 15.
Credit: Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
