NZ Insider No.13: MXoN Dilemma

Welcome to our brand new weekly web-exclusive column, Transmoto‘s NZ Insider. Penned each week by Kiwi, Chris Ritchie, the NZ Insider will present the story-behind-the-stories on NZ-related dirt bike happenings across the globe. 

The Motocross of Nations (MXoN) saga has taken another turn and it now looks like highly unlikely that we will be sending a team to this year’s event after all. In what can only be described as an absolute debacle, now with merely five weeks before the world’s top MXers assemble in Latvia for this year’s event, New Zealand’s team has not been chosen, and there is now a dense black cloud over its attendance at the famous event.

Rather than straight out selecting a team like many other countries, Motorcycling New Zealand requested applications from riders keen to represent their country, and then when our entire team (Cody Cooper, Kayne Lamont, and Rhys Carter) who competed in Germany in 2013 was ruled out by injuries sustained during their respective 2014 MX Nationals campaigns, the applications were reopened, and only just closed last Friday (August 15).

As of yet, there is still no word of what is going on, but with engines being built, bikes being prepared, hotels and flights being booked, and with such a limited time, let alone preparation time for the chosen riders, some of whom may be on the couch, the time is now.

Although not a large sum, the FIM provides funding for national federations to send teams to the event, of which New Zealand is a recipient, as well as the Taupo Motorcycle Club holding their annual Battle of the Clubs event primarily to raise funds to assist in sending the team. There will be plenty of questions requiring answers if we do not end up sending a team.

The likely team of Scott Columb, Brad Groombridge, and Hamish Harwood will not have much time to prepare, but we know they will be up for the task, especially with Harwood needing time to get back on a four-stroke for MX2.

Speaking of Brad Groombridge, we hear that he may have been drafted in to Craig Anderson’s Berry Sweet Husky team for the final two rounds of the MX Nationals, with Gladstone this coming weekend, then the finale in Coolum next weekend. After the recent sudden split with former Pro Open rider Brock Winston – no stranger to us Kiwis having competed in our domestic championship the past two years – Ando needs to fill the void to no doubt keep his sponsors happy, and I’m sure our man BG will not disappoint.

He has already been a cameo fill in at Penrite Honda earlier this season after Kiwi Cody Cooper injured his knee at the opening round at Broadford back in March. While he struggled with the switch jumping straight off his trusty RM-Z on to Coop’s Honda on that occasion, he has been able to test a stock Husky in NZ, and will be better prepared coming in to this weekend. Moreover, if he does end up making the trip across to Latvia next month for MXoN, more seat time and top level racing, regardless of the brand will prove crucial in his buildup.

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Note: Motorcycling New Zealand has confirmed that Scott Columb (Open), Hamish Dobbyn (MX1) and Hamish Harwood (MX2) will represent Team New Zealand at this year’s MXoN.