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Motorcycling New Zealand has again named a strong team this season as it bids to reclaim the Oceania title that its trans-Tasman neighbours took again at Taupo last season.
Despite dominating the MX1 ranks, thanks to sterling performances from Kiwi internationals Josh Coppins, Luke Burkhart and Cody Cooper, the Australians proved stronger in the MX2 and junior ranks to win the Oceania crown by 596 points to New Zealand’s 562.
The event was staged in Australia in 2005, at the same Barabool circuit, and on that occasion it was a similar case of New Zealand winning the battles but losing the war. Australia beat New Zealand by 327-309 in 2005.
With Yamaha factory ace Coppins to spearhead the Kiwi cause, ably backed by two-time and current women’s world motocross champion Katherine Prumm (Kawasaki), the New Zealand team looks more than a match for the Australians this year.
The Kiwi juniors will also be a driving force with Hamish Dobbyn (Yamaha), Cameron Dillon (Honda), Henry Madams (KTM) chosen to represent their country.
In addition to the Australia versus New Zealand Oceania fight, several more international star riders have been secured for the event.
Long time American motocross legend, Ryan “Ryno” Hughes, will once again put on his motocross race face to line up against the Aussies and Kiwis.
Hughes has been racing recently in the GNCC cross-country series.
“I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to race and holiday in Australia, and at the same time help save a great track like McAdam Park at Barrabool,” Huges said.
“I hear the guys down under are pretty quick now. I haven’t raced a lot of motocross recently, so I will have to wait and see how I stack up. This will be my last International appearance, and while I am there I will be doing several riding schools at Barrabool and another nearby track, so I will get to meet a lot of the locals”.
The New Zealand team is:
