Cody Cooper is a professional Motocross rider from Mount Manganui, New Zealand. At 32 years of age, Cody is the most capped NZ Motocross Champion with 4 NZ MX1 Titles to his name.
With years of professional racing Championships in New Zealand, Australia, America and Europe, Cody has gained the utmost respect from rider’s, fans, supporters and the wider Motocross community at large for his humble, enduring yet competitive nature on and off the race track.
Competing in this year’s NZ Motocross Championship showed Cody at his best, even surprising many for what this well-loved guy can produce when the chips are down.
The 4 Round Series attracted riders from overseas, with Australia’s former 2015 European Motocross Championship riders vying for podium spots ahead of NZ’s # 1.
Rounds 1 and 2 in Timaru and Palmerston North respectively favoured Aussie rivals up front gaining an 8 point lead over Cooper. Finishing 2nd in Round 1, then dropping to 3rd in Round 2, along with losing more points to the leader tests any professional athlete, no more so for Cooper.
At the half way point post Round 2, Cody found the fortitude that remains elusive to many people, in sport or otherwise.
Questions of: ‘how do I turn this Championship around given point’s disadvantage’? ‘What can I find within myself to pull out victory when it’s needed’?
Given the level playing field most athletes have: high level of fitness, technically skilled, mechanically best performance from bike, there remains only head-space with its mental focus, determination and tenacity to sort the winner from the rest.
Often described as ‘who wants it the most’ Cooper found what was needed to turn a points deficit into a winner.
Emotions run high within the sport of racing at Professional level, a lot is at stake for riders heading into Motocross Championship seasons overseas along with boost to self-confidence to overcome adversity.
NZ backed Cooper did more than prove what he is made of, winning the Overall MX1 Title at the Final Round of 2016 NZ Motocross Championship at Taupo on March 20th. Cody showed everyone how to dig deep and draw strength from believing in yourself to the max.
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