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A rain out in Nelson for round one of the championship series effectively saw only two rounds completed this year, with first points coming from Tokoroa and the final on Saturday night at Taupiri.
Current world number seven, 22 year old Josh Coppins was odds-on favourite for a big win at this weekend\'s final round of the MNZ New Zealand Supercross Championships at the Taupiri Supercross Stadium.
The almost unstoppable Motueka rider pocketed both the 125cc and 250cc champs in an impressive performance of speed and skill.
Winning all but one race the Suzuki ace had the confidence and courage to lay on heel clickers and cross-ups for an enthusiastic audience of some 5,000 Supercross fans.
Luke Burkhart, the gutsy 15 year old from Masterton was the only rider to take a race from Coppins in the 125cc heats. Having just moved up to the senior ranks this rider has stated his future intentions by shaking the ground under the feet of some of the more established riders.
Australian Bret Metcalfe found the going a bit tougher on the fast flowing Taupiri circuit despite a solid turnout at Tokoroa the previous weekend. The Kiwi riders were keeping the throttle wide open and Metcalfe was having to work harder to stay in the picture. A tenancious second behind Coppins in the 125 class proved Metcalfe was capable of taking it to Coppins on the night.
Metcalfe and New Caledonian rider Steve Kromodimedgo were the only two overseas riders competing in the champs and were left to fight out the minors while Coppins cleaned out the titles.
Coppins now heads for the New Zealand Motocross GP in Woodville this weekend before packing his bags for Europe and what he hopes will be a top five world placing.
NOTE: Head and Shoulder photos Coppins, Urwin, Burkhart on INL Hub.
RESULTS:
| National 250cc | National 125cc | ||
| Josh Coppins | 60 | Josh Coppins | 55 |
| Philip Claydon | 38 | Bret Metcalfe | 43 |
| Mark Penny | 37 | Luke Burkhart | 41 |
| Shane Phillips | 35 | Johnathan Burkhart | 39 |
| Corrie Sargent | 33 | Kelvin Ferguson | 31 |
Contact:
Dave Craig
MNZ Motocross Commission Director
Ph: 025 344 438
