It could not have gone much better for the Power Balance Suzuki team riders in the Bay of Plenty at the weekend.
Mount Maunganui’s Cody Cooper took the main prize at the big Labour Weekend Motocross Extravaganza in Taupo on Sunday, fending off stern challenges from former world and American champion Ben Townley to win both the MX1 class and the event’s feature race as well.
Cooper took his MotoGB Suzuki RM-Z450 to the front at the start of race one but Townley showed his international class to eventually find a gap and squeeze past Cooper near the end of the race – first blood to the Taupo rider.
But Cooper had all the answers in race two, again taking the holeshot on his big Suzuki. This time he made no mistakes and won by a couple of bike lengths from Townley, these two riders a long way in front of the chasing bunch. The points were tied.
With everything resting on the final “feature” race, Cooper again claimed the lead at the start and again fended off Townley’s attacks. When Townley struck trouble with back-markers, Cooper was able to build on his advantage and eventually stretched his lead to 18 seconds at the finish – game, set and match to Cooper.
Cooper was naturally thrilled with the victory.
“I was wrecked before the start of that last race. I didn’t think I’d last the distance. I just hoped Ben was feeling as ruined as me,” he smiled.
“But I found a nice flow on the bike. I’m still not 100% yet but the season’s not really started yet.”
Fellow Power Balance Suzuki Team riders Kayne Lamont (MX2 RM-Z250) and Tom Managh (RM125) also impressed at the weekend.
Mangakino’s Lamont finished the weekend a solid third overall in the MX2 class, behind Action Suzuki’s Brad Groombridge, of Taupo, and Hamilton’s former national champion Darryll King.
Wanganui’s Managh claimed fourth overall in the national 125cc class, behind Waitakere’s Ethan Martens, Atiamuri Suzuki star Dion Picard and Auckland’s James Ainsworth.
The 15-year-old Picard had a sensational weekend, the junior rider not only battling for top honours in the senior 125cc class on Sunday, but cleaning up in two separate classes the day before, finishing unbeaten in the 15-16 years’ 125cc class and dominating the 14-16 years’ 250cc class with a 1-1-2 score-line.
His only defeat on Saturday was at the hands of fellow Suzuki rider Joshua Jack, of Kaukapakapa, who signed off on his junior career with the victory. The 16-year-old Jack made his senior debut on Sunday and finished a creditable ninth overall in the 35-rider MX2 class.
Meanwhile, Tauranga’s Cameron Forlong (MotoGB RM85) again showed his remarkable strength as he dominated the 12-13 years 85cc class with a hat-trick of wins.
For Further Information Contact
Simon Meade
Motorcycle Sales Manager
E simon@suzuki.co.nz
