NZ Insider No.40: Aussie Assault

Transmoto’s weekly web-exclusive column, the NZ Insider, penned by Chris Ritchie.

For many years, Kiwi motocross racers have ventured across the ditch to showcase their talents against the best in Australia in the coveted MX Nationals series, often where the depth of talent runs deeper than home, providing more challenges, and a stiffer level of competition. There have even been some championship titles brought back in the process, with the King brothers and Daryl Hurley during the late 90s and early 2000s, and in more recent times, our ex-GP star, Josh Coppins, clinching the MX1 crown in 2012, and rising talent Hamish Harwood claiming the MXD (Under 19s) championship in 2013.

For 2015, we have another strong contingent contesting the Australian national series. First up, we’ve got our three-time reigning MX1 champion, Cody Cooper, who is certainly no stranger to Aussies, spearheading the Honda premier class challenge, reunited with teammate Ford Dale at Yarrive Konsky’s Penrite Honda team, under the guidance of long-time Kiwi wrench, Blair Meyer. Coops is looking for redemption in 2015 after a disastrous opening round crash ruined his season in 2014, and after dominating his Aussie rivals in the recent NZ Nationals, he will surely be a title contender in 2015.

Coops’ teammate at The Honda Shop racing team in New Zealand, John Phillips, has been drafted into Troy Carroll’s NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki team in place of Jake Moss who is recovering from a broken leg suffered in a pre-season crash, and will be out of action for at least the opening rounds alongside Adam Monea. After such a stellar debut season at home on the 450, we are picking Johnny to turn some heads on the green machine this weekend.

In MX2, we have 2014 Australian #2 and 2015 NZ #2, Hamish Harwood, looking to go one better this year. KTM’s Harwood was unable to match Australian Yamaha rival, Jay Wilson, in the recent NZ series, so will be motivated to turn that around in Wilson’s homeland.

A rejuvenated Rhys Carter returns to the MX2 class with Raceline Seven Suzuki after a breakthrough 2014 season under Jay Foreman’s wing at Motul Suzuki. Carter finds himself back on the more familiar RM-Z250 machine after a one-off cameo appearance with the Raceline squad at Coolum in 2013. He is feeling comfortable back on the Lites bike, and will be certain to mix it up contending for podiums and race wins from the opening round.

For 2015, we also have Oamaru teenager Joel Meikle, a recent addition and teammate to Harwood at the ever-expanding CMR Red Bull KTM team competing in the MXD division. Meikle ended the recent NZ Nationals in eighth in the MX2 class after only just graduating from the Junior ranks, and is keen to continue his rise to the top competing against the best in Australia.