2 days out from Round 3 of 2015 NZ MX Championships, current leader and MX1 Title holder Cody Cooper feels comfortably in zone for racing at Rotorua Motorcycle club’s track on Sunday.
At the half-way point in NZ’s MX National Series, Cooper leads by 3 points from his Team rider John Phillips (The Honda Shop Racing) with Australia’s Kirk Gibbs (KTM) rounding out the top 3.
With intensity levels set to rise with the wild card of Ben Townley racing MX1, the depth of talent inclusive of Australia’s 2014 2nd MX1: Kirk Gibbs and 2013 1st MX2: Luke Styke, plus NZ’s top line-up, Cooper is no stranger to what he expects of himself.
Always a guy to put things in perspective, I asked ‘What is uppermost in your mind 2 days out from racing Round 3?
Cooper states, ‘Starts are my goal for the Round. BT and I have a little bet on who is going to holeshot haha’.
With a change of Round venues from previous years, 2015 NZ MX Nationals has proved a thriller for spectators as to who will stand top of podium each Round, while at the same time pushing riders to their capabilities on track come race day.
Cooper says: ‘I struggled with the track and concrete starts at Round One. I felt like I did the right thing on the day not to push over my limit. At Round 2 I actually got around the track better- riding at 90% as it was a rutty track’.
Commitments to Team, Brand and Sponsors, along with juggling responsibilities for competing in Australia’s MX Nationals under Penrite Oil, Cooper staves off any pressure which would be expected heading into NZ’s Final 2 Rounds.
Cody: ‘No I don’t feel any pressure. I’m racing for the win and for my Team. Not the money or anyone else. Last year and this year I have been so excited to get on my bike and tick everything off my training programme for racing’.
‘I like the track at Rotorua. The dirt is good, the ruts can get square edges and I know the club will do a good job with the track. The most challenging part will be trying to pass’.
With loads of experience racing Championships in NZ and overseas at the pointy end of the table, what is key to Cooper’s success- given he put in the fastest lap time of the day at Timaru Round 2- last Race Lap 4?
Cody: ‘this last year I have just been led in the right direction with training which makes me feel stronger on the track. It feels good to know most of the time if I need to put some good laps down I can’.
Round 3: March 8th Rotorua Motorcycle club
Round 4: March 15th Pukekohe Motorcycle club
Words: Sharon Cox
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