Cody Cooper Takes Control of Championship in NZ
By Sharon Cox
Cody Cooper (The Honda Shop Racing) claimed the MX1 round two win of NZ’s MX Championships at Backflips Dirt Farm today, taking the Overall Championship by 3 points heading into the series' final two rounds.
This is a unique record, with all three classes posting identical results: MX 1 Cooper going 1-1-1, Australia’s Jay Wilson going 1-1-1 in MX2 and NZ’s Josiah Natzke blitzing the field with 1-1-1 in 125cc class.
Cooper took the holeshot in the first moto and led from start to finish.
The Honda Shop Racing Team rider John Phillips was equally impressive over three motos, taking second overall for the round, with Australia’s Kirk Gibbs (KTM) rounding out the top three.
Cody: "I came here to win all three, to make a statement really. I’m proud of myself, I got back into it and got the job done. There is awesome dirt out there, the Backflips crew have done an awesome job with the track. There are some one lines but that’s where you have to focus on your starts and use the one lines to your advantage."
Australia’s Jay Wilson continued his excellent form, taking a clean sweep in MX2 (1-1-1), heading off competition from Hamish Harwood (CMR Red Bull KTM), who was second overall, and local rider Micah McGoldrick (Honda), who finished third.
McGoldrick was unlucky in moto two, dropping valuable points, only to reclaim his place at the end in the last race.
Jay: "It was good to extend my points lead and come away with three wins. I was a bit worried this morning with the track being so wet. I thought the NZ boys would be good. The track was gnarly—every straight had ruts. I just had to be patient and on my toes the whole time. I have to thank the JCR Team for the massive effort they put in."
NZ’s Josiah Natzke (CMR Red Bull KTM) outclassed the 125cc field showing the talent that has earned him a position in Europe’s KTM post NZ’s Nationals.
Winning three of three, Josiah’s winning margins were exceptional with second overall. Cohan Chase and third overall South Canterbury’s Courtney Duncan challenged to close the gap.
Josiah: "It was a perfect day for me, I couldn’t ask for anything different. The bike was good, the track was tough but I adapted to it. An awesome day, I’m stoked."
Round 3: March 9, Rotorua
Round 4: March 15, Pukekohe
NZ Motocross Championship - MX1 (After Rnd 2)
Pos No. Name Total Diff Gap R1 R2 R3 Total R1 R2 R3 Total
1 1 Cody Cooper 124 0 0 18 20 11 49 25 25 25 75
2 63 John Phillips 121 3 3 15 22 18 55 22 22 22 66
3 G Kirk Gibbs 114 10 7 22 18 22 62 14 20 18 52
4 M Kade Mosig 101 23 13 25 13 10 48 18 15 20 53
5 104 Scott Columb 99 25 2 20 25 25 70 9 10 10 29
NZ Motocross Championship - 125cc (After Rnd 2)
Pos No. Name Total Diff Gap R1 R2 R3 Total R1 R2 R3 Total
1 1 Josiah Natzke 138 0 0 25 25 13 63 25 25 25 75
2 45 Cohen Chase 127 11 11 22 20 25 67 16 22 22 60
3 21 Benjamin Broad 118 20 9 18 22 22 62 18 20 18 56
4 912 Kurtis Lilly 104 34 14 20 16 16 52 20 16 16 52
5 151 Courtney Duncan 101 37 3 10 15 20 45 22 14 20 56
NZ Motocross Championship - MX2 (After Rnd 2)
Pos No. Name Total Diff Gap R1 R2 R3 Total R1 R2 R3 Total
1 Jay Wilson 140 0 0 25 20 20 65 25 25 25 75
2 153 Hamish Harwood 120 20 20 14 22 22 58 20 22 20 62
3 146 Micah McGoldrick 105 35 15 11 25 25 61 22 0 22 44
