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The New Zealand Motorcross Nationals got underway on Saturday in perfect weather at Gore in the South Island. This premier circuit with its’ wide open all natural terrain beckoned top performances from New Zealand’s top motorcross riders, and one hundred and fifty riders turned up to take a crack at the titles.
Saturday saw the fields sorted out and the top 40 riders in each class qualifying for a tough weekend of dirt riding.
It could have been anyone’s bag in the 125 titles and there were some notable returns creating surprises. YZ125 rider Andrew Hardisty had a dream return to motorcross after a successful road racing career and made a decisive comeback winning six out of six to lead the 125 class after the six rounds. Hardisty was pushed hard though by a determined Cameron Laird who led several times before being overhauled by Hardisty. Laird also had a fight on his hands with some close battles with
Australian Brett Metcalfe making his fifth return to New Zealand in four months. Masterton rider Luke Burkhart snatched a second in race two but was beaten overall by brother Jonathon for fifth placing.
Current 250-title holder Michael Cotter delivered an unexpected double last year, winning both the 250 and 500 titles having never won a New Zealand title before, and it’ll take a lot of wresting to prize the plate away from this highly competitive Cambridge rider, but it was the return of Stacey-O that had the pits talking.
Oldeman has been a past NZ Junior champion and hasn’t been seen at the track for sometime, but within days of the event support arrived in the form of a bike from Coastline Honda and Stacey O was back, and taking no prisoners.
With a race win in race 3 riders were wary and doing there best to slow down the return of the former champion. 25year old Cameron Negus turned in a solid and consistent effort, which may bode well for the final rounds, picking up a win in the second race and three well deserved second placings.
Another surprise was Australian Jamie Cunningham who brought his Husquvana 500 to the Gore track and crunched the 500cc class. This top five Aussie racer hasn’t been seen here for some seven or eight years and now leads the class. With both Michael Cotter and Cameron Negus competing in 2 classes, strength and stamina may be vital to holding off the Australian.
The championships now move to Mosgiel this weekend for the final rounds to find New Zealand’s top motorcross riders.
NEW ZELAND MOTORCROSS CHAMPS ROUND 1.
RESULTS:
| NATIONAL 125 | ||
| 1. | Andrew Hardisty | 120 |
| 2. | Cameron Laird | 89 |
| 3. | Brett Metcalfe | 86 |
| 4. | Ben Harding | 73 |
| 5. | Jonathon Burkhart | 72 |
| NATIONAL 250 | ||
| 1. | Michael Cotter | 114 |
| 2. | Stacey Oldeman | 93 |
| 3. | Cameron Negus | 82 |
| 4. | Chris Maitland | 78 |
| 5. | Mark Penny | 70 |
| NATIONAL 500 | ||
| 1. | Jamie Cunningham | 108 |
| 2. | Cameron Negus | 102 |
| 3. | Corrie Sargent | 98 |
| 4. | Michael Cotter | 71 |
| 5. | Jeff Hagensen | 64 |
Issued By: Wayne Green MNZ Media & Publicity Ph.07-8433043 Fx.07-8433048 Mb 025-222-000-7 Email. wayne@wave.co.nz Contact Dave Craig. MNZ Motorcross Commission Director 025-344438
