[Features]

NZ Insider No.5: Townley to America?

10 years ago | Words: Chris Ritchie

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. 

For this week, one of the biggest events on the NZ domestic MX calendar is the Battle of the Clubs Motocross, hosted by the Taupo Motorcycle Club this coming Saturday (28th), at their famous Digger McEwen Park circuit. The event, likened to a ‘State of Origin’ motocross, sees the best Junior and Senior riders from each motocross club around New Zealand up against each other to find the best club in the nation.

The purpose of the event, which has been on the Kiwi MX calendar for the last few years, is to raise money to assist the New Zealand team’s participation in the annual Motocross of Nations event, to be held in Latvia in September. Last year’s event raised around $10k, so hopefully we can raise at least the same, if not more this year!

Teams from each club are made up of six members, three Juniors and three Seniors, one in each of the following classes – Junior 85cc, Junior 125cc, Junior 250F, Senior MX1, Senior MX2, and Senior Vets. Favourites for this year are defending champions Taupo, led by Brad Groombridge, however they will not have it easy with plenty of heat expected from the likes of Pukekohe, Taranaki, Manawatu, and Bay of Plenty, amongst others.

The Kiwi MX of Nations team of three riders (plus a reserve) is expected to be chosen by Motorcycling New Zealand in the next few weeks.

Our other main focus this week is the return of the Australian MX Nationals after a five-week break to Round 6 at Swan Hill, Victoria as the series moves into its second half on Sunday. The Ben Townley mystery continues with the former MX2 World Champ still tight-lipped about any full-time comeback in Oz, filling the vacant seat of the injured Cody Cooper, or even rumoured in the States with Justin Barcia out injured, and Team Honda looking to fill his boots alongside an improved Trey Canard. I doubt we will hear the end of that rumour…

Team Motul Suzuki’s Rhys Carter is looking to continue his rise up the Pro Open ladder as he pushes for Top 5 results, and a Top 10 overall series result. Husqvarna’s Kayne Lamont wants to put a disastrous day in Wanneroo behind him and get back to where he belongs to challenge for the Pro Lites championship, and KTM’s Hamish Harwood is keen to continue his consistent run at the pointy end of the Lites class where he currently sits second overall.

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