In 2005 Kiwi Motocross legends Josh Coppins, Ben Townley and Katherine Prumm (now Oberlin-Brown) all tasted victory at Sweden’s GP at Uddevalla – a rare moment indeed in NZ’s motocross history.
Lining up in MX1, Josh Coppins scored 1-1 over 2nd place Ben Townley finishing 2-3 on the podium with BT having won MX2 Round Overall at Uddevalla hard-pack circuit the previous year.
Capping off the GP Kiwi domination was Katherine Prumm (now Oberlin-Brown) finishing 2nd place in 2005 Women’s World Cup with German Steffi Laier taking top step. Katherine went on to claim victory at the infamous Uddevalla circuit winning 2006 Round 2 Women’s World Cup and Overall Championship Title.
Steeped in history, with the first Motocross World Championship at Uddevalla run in 1958, it is fitting that NZ’s Dylan Walsh carries on legacy as #53 lines up at MXGP of Sweden this weekend in MX2.
From small country based at bottom of world, NZ sure produces class athletes at special moments in history- gaps in between for certain, but given size of population, Kiwi’s still have courage, pride and conviction to race against the best of the world- and win.
As Ben re-calls the event which made NZ MX history: ‘It was a fantastic day for New Zealand motocross, one of the best ever to be honest. I just watched that race recently on YouTube with my boys and had forgotten how intense and tight the battle was between Josh and I’.
‘He was the better man on the day but I was pretty stoked with my performance. At that point in the season between Josh and I we were able to win 8 straight moto’s. I won 2 in Italy, 2 in France and Josh won both in Sweden and South Africa which will stay in history for a long time for NZ MX’.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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