Mount Maunganui’s Cody Cooper followed through on all the promise he’s been showing this season, clinching the national MX1 motocross crown on Sunday.
Cooper and his Team Power Balance Suzuki RM-Z450 were unstoppable at the fourth and final round of the New Zealand Motocross Championships near New Plymouth on Sunday, the 27-year-old Bay of Plenty man scoring a hat-trick of wins on the sticky, damp Barrett Road circuit.
By winning the first MX1 race of the day, Cooper leapfrogged series leader Josh Coppins in the standings, the Suzuki man in front for the first time this season, although it was something that he had been threatening to do throughout the campaign.
Indeed, Cooper could have been leading the championship well before the final round if a serious case of “arm pump” (crippling tension in the forearms) had not ruined his day at the opening round in Timaru in February.
Cooper recovered from that early setback to win each of the three rounds that followed, chomping into the points advantage enjoyed by former GP star Coppins, the 2010 world MX1 No.12.
Cooper had come up just two points short of winning the MX1 crown last season, but this time he was not to be denied.
“It was a good series for me this year,” admitted Cooper afterwards.
“After suffering from arm-pump in Timaru, we changed the fork settings and it was awesome after that. I feel confident now as I head back across the Tasman to continue my Australian championship campaign.”
Cooper is currently second in the MX1 class Australia after a muddy opening round in Victoria a fortnight ago.
“I love the Suzuki. I just think it’s a bike that suits my style. My best campaign in the United States was on a Suzuki too.”
Meanwhile, Power Balance MotoGB Suzuki team boss Andrew Hardisty had plenty of reason to smile after his other riders, Cooper’s team-mates, also shone out at the weekend.
“Yes, you could say we finished 1-2-3 this year ... Cody won the MX1 title, Daniel McCoy (Australia) finished runner-up in the MX2 class and Tom Managh (Wanganui) was placed third overall in the 125cc class. It was a good, solid performance all around.
“It’s a real credit to Daniel that he came over here without knowing what to expect and was such a strong contender for the title. It was his first time racing in this country.
“It was a very encouraging performance from Tom in Taranaki at the weekend, finishing third on the day and moving up to finish the series on the podium. It’s a good platform for him to build on for the future. He showed improvement at every round this year.”
McCoy was philosophical at missing out on taking the MX2 title by just four points.
“I just couldn’t get good starts today and couldn’t really put myself in a good position to win. I didn’t come here expecting to win a championship, so to be so close to doing just that is very pleasing for me. But it is a little disappointing at the same time. Maybe I can come back next year and win it.”
For further information contact Simon Meade, Motorcycle Sales Manager, simon@suzuki.co.nz
