NZ rider’s racing on the world stage in 2025 – Levi Townley, Brodie Connolly, Cole Davies, and Cormac Buchanan. All 4 kiwi rider’s punch well above their ages competing in premier Championships in Europe, Australia, and America with Levi, Cole and Cormac racing on debut and Brodie defending his Australian Pro MX2 Title this season.
The level of competition and intensity of racing cannot be under-estimated with all 4 rider’s facing challenges of racing on tracks which vary in terrain and layout across all Rounds. Coupled with the effects of track deterioration due to changeable weather conditions or for Cormac – flux of tarmac track temperatures – these 4 rider’s have plenty to overcome to produce best possible results within their respective racing disciplines.
Starting with Yamaha Europe MCJ Team rider – Levi Townley – racing EMX 125 Championship of 12 Rounds from March through to the final Round at Lommel on August 3. At only 15 years of age, Levi has already achieved winning results taking FIM Junior World MX Championship 85cc Title in 2024. Supported by family, and father – Ben Townley – FIM World MX2 Champion and SX East 250 Champion – Levi displays all confidence and determination needed to match his European counter-parts on and off the track.
Honda Racing Australia rider – Brodie Connolly – will defend his 2024 Pro MX2 Title this season which he kicked off with a double moto win at the Opening Round at Wonthaggi, Victoria at the weekend. The 8 Round Series will cement Connolly’s ability to dominate on board the Team’s CRF 250R bike, having rounded out ‘024 with debut entry in AUS Supercross Championship, finishing P3 overall.
Equally competitive racing SX, Cole Davies debuts in America’s highly contested Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship East 250 with Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha Team. At 17 years of age, from Waitoki, Auckland, Cole and his family’s committment to reach great heights in the prestigous sport are second to none other than Ben Townley who won the same class Title in 2007. Having taken 2 wins and 4 podiums in SX Futures in 2023, followed by his first ever podium in SX East 250 at Anaheim 11 in 2025, Cole continues to raise the bar on what he can accomplish on the track.
BOE Motorsport rider – Cormac Buchanan – sealed a superb ride to compete in 2025 Moto 3 Championship across 22 Rounds. Having risen in ranks racing in NZ followed by the past 4 years in Europe – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies and Junior GP Championship 2022 – 2024, Cormac takes another step up the ladder in his inspiring racing career. Neither daunted by the challenge ahead, nor eclipsed by the fact that no NZ rider has competed in MotoGP since Simon Crafar in 1999, Buchanan remains resolute to learn, experience, and produce the best possible results from one Round to the next.
Big props to all 4 kiwi rider’s for pursuing rare opportunities to race on the world stage in 2025 and beyond.
Header photo: Brodie Connolly taking the Opening Round win in Australia’s Pro MX Championship at Wonthaggi at the weekend. Credit: foremostmedia
Words: Sharon Cox.
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