Heading into the Final Round of 2015 NZ MX Championships at Pukekohe riders are ready to wrap up what has been a thriller of a Series with 3 winners soon to stand top of the podium.
MX1 points leader Cody Cooper (The Honda Shop Racing) has maintained strong start to finish racing over 3 Rounds proving his strength lies in skilled focus where it counts.
Cody Cooper: ‘For the Final Round I really need good starts. My starts were ok at Rotorua but I felt I struggled with my starting technique. I wasn’t overly happy with them. My training has been a lot more focused on 30 minute motos to be ready for when Aussie MX Nationals start in a few weeks’.
Australia’s Kirk Gibbs (KTM) sitting 2nd Overall looks forward to racing Pukekohe Motorcycle Club’s track which is certain to test rider’s ability to race on dirt potentially changing from wet, to tacky to hard pack in one day.
Kirk Gibbs: ‘I’m really looking forward to Harrisville, I love the track. I think every Round tracks have been different, really technical which has made for some good close racing’.
‘Sitting in second is a bonus and having a Team behind myself and Luke, giving us exactly what we need to go out and ride at our best is awesome. 100% it’s a huge positive for us leading into Australia’s MX Series, we will have 5 races under our belts, on some awesome tracks and against very stiff competition’.
Gibbs: ‘I’d really like to thank the whole Team and everyone who chipped in to make this possible’.
Leading MX2 is Australia’s Jay Wilson (Altherm JCR Yamaha) who commands a 37 point lead from NZ’s Hamish Harwood (KTM) and Micah McGoldrick (Timaru Honda) in 3rd.
Pulling 1-1-1 with 3 hole-shots in Round 3, Jay Wilson is pleased with his form leading into Australia’s MX Nationals in a few weeks, having gained confidence and race time on tracks that have been challenging.
Jay: Round 1 and 3 the tracks were very slippery, I wasn’t really used to that. Round 2 has been my favourite so far, it was really difficult with how rutty it got, but all have been fun’.
‘I’m pretty happy with my form of late but still think there are things to improve- we will be close by Aussie Round 1’.
For NZ’s only double class rider Josiah Natzke, leading 125cc, racing back to back 125cc and MX2 has proved physically and mentally tough going.
As planned build-up for racing in Europe, Josiah faces the challenge of racing 2 classes again this weekend before heading overseas under contract with KTM Europe’s Stefan Everts Development Team.
Josiah: ‘My focus for this weekend will be my overall execution of the day and just going until I blow or until the checkered flag comes out. I need to fight more in MX2 because that’s what it will be like in Europe’.
‘Racing back to back 125cc and MX2 has been physically and mentally toughening. It’s really hard on my body but I have to learn to keep pushing even when I am hurting because when I’m in Europe I can’t just give up. I’m going to push to find my limit this weekend’.
With an opportunity of a life-time working with Stefan Everts and KTM Europe, Josiah is looking forward ‘to just getting there, making a name for myself and hopefully taking some race wins that would be Gangsta’.
‘I’m just keen to get racing, I feel like I’ve done a lot of work so it should pay off’.
For Josiah the experience means: ‘No-one in New Zealand has had a chance like this since BT and JC so I’m excited to make some waves and achieve what they have and even more’.
Final Round 2015 NZ MX Championships: Pukekohe Motorcycle Club- March 15th
Words: Sharon Cox
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