Sixteen-year-old Levi Townley will lead an impressive team of New Zealand riders in the FIM Junior Motocross World Championships that take place in Jinin, Czech Republic, this weekend, July 4-5, 2026.
Contesting the pinnacle junior world title event, Townley will race in the JMX125 class with his younger brother Jaggar, 14, joining Nixon Coppins, 13, and Nico Verhoeven, 13, in the JMX85 class.
Levi, of Tauranga, is no stranger to this event, having won the JMX85 Junior Motocross World Championship in 2024 – the first New Zealander to accomplish the feat. That same year, Verhoeven, of Cambridge, finished second in the hotly contested JMX65 championship.
Nico Verhoeven won the 11-12 years 85cc class at the 2026 New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships in April and he is hungry for more after finishing second in the Worlds’ JMX65 in 2024. Photo: MNZ/Derek Morrison
Levi is coming off a strong run of form in the Eurpoean Motocross Championship finishing fifth overall in EMX125 at the MXGP of France, and then taking second at the MXGP of Latvia.
From left: Jaggar Townley, 14, Ben Townley, Levi Townley, 16, Josh Coppins, and Nixon Coppins, 13, in preparation as part of Team New Zealand’s push for a world title at the FIM Junior Motocross World Championships that take place in Jinin, Czech Republic, this weekend, July 4-5, 2026. Absent: Nico Verhoeven (travelling). Photo: MNZ/Supplied
“This is my second World Juniors,” Levi shares. “I have a bit more experience to lean on, so I’m happy about that. I’m just going to ride like I normally do: ride to my potential.”
“It is cool to have some Kiwis over here and to have my brother on the team,” Levi smiles. “It’s always good to have some friends and family over supporting, and nice to have some banter with the Kiwis.”
Coppins has a similar story in EMX85. Both riders, along with Levi’s younger brother Jaggar, base themselves in the Northern Hemisphere to train and race with the world’s very best motocross athletes.
Nixon Coppins, 13, has been hard at work training and racing in the Northern Hemisphere in preparation to represent New Zealand at the Junior Motocross World Championship to be held in Jinin, Czech Republic, July 4-5, 2026. Photo: MNZ/Kai Brake
“I am ready to go and I’m excited,” Coppins offers. “I love New Zealand and love being able to represent the country. I know it won’t be an easy race, but I am ready to fight.”
Verhoeven has also taken up residence in Europe as part of his preparation for his world title bid. He is fresh off a win in the 2026 New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships in the 11-12 Years 85cc division.
Nico Verhoeven is prepped and ready for the the Junior Motocross World Championship this weekend. Photo: MNZ/Derek Morrison
“We’re here in Holland, and I’ve been here for a couple of weeks training and racing now,” Verhoeven explains. “You train your whole life for the biggest event you can do, and now we’re over here prepping for that. We’re away from the family, so it’s a lot.”
“I don’t have any goals other than qualifying,” Verhoeven smiles. “I’ll set a goal after that – top 10 would be good. As long as I get a good start and don’t crash, I should be sweet.”
The first step at the hard-pack Jinin track is qualification with 94 riders on the start list for the JMX85 class and 100 for the JMX125 class. Jaggar will be looking for tips from his older brother, Levi.
Jaggar Townley will be representing New Zealand in the JMX85 class, which his older brother Levi won in 2024. Photo: MNZ/Supplied
“It’s awesome to have my brother alongside me at the races for advice,” Jaggar admits. “I’m really excited for the race – I just want to do as well as I can.”
With two of New Zealand motocross’s most decorated riders, Josh Coppins and Ben Townley, behind this team, New Zealand can expect a strong result from these talented riders.
“This is certainly a big event on the calendar in Europe,” Ben offers. “There are a lot of events for us throughout the season, but this one has the biggest accolades, and I guess, being a one-weekend event, there’s a little bit more pressure that is connected to that. But overall, it’s just another race for the boys to progress.”
“This is certainly a big event on the calendar in Europe. There are a lot of events for us throughout the season, but this one has the biggest accolades, and I guess, being a one-weekend event, there’s a little bit more pressure that is connected to that.” Ben Townley
“There is a lot of preparation and organisation,” Ben smiles. “I’m mechanic, driver, coach, all of those things all rolled into one. It takes a lot of effort, but I really enjoy it. It’s great seeing the boys enjoy it themselves and all the learning that they’re getting to do, and, at times, the success that comes with it.”
Racing begins with practice and qualifying on Saturday, July 4, 2026 with the main world title races scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Follow the racing and live timing from the Junior Motocross World Championship here
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