Oz team wins Oceania MX

Over four thousand motocross fans in attendance were treated to some of the best racing ever seen on these shores as World Number three Josh Coppins spearheaded an unsuccessful Kiwi assault at the Oceania Trophy against a talented Aussie team that included a number of current and past national champs.

With four riders nominated to represent each country in both of the Pro classes, and three riders representing in the Woman's and Junior classes, the final results would be decided not by the standout performances of the few but by the overall teams efforts. After the dust had settled Australia had triumphed over their trans-Tasman rivals with a combined score of 746 points over New Zealand's 551 points.

In the premiere Pro Open (450cc) class Josh Coppins proved too strong for all challengers as he powered his way to victory in each of his races. Fellow Kiwi Daryl Hurley mounted a strong challenge and claimed the runner up spot ahead of fast American import Ryan Hughes, who added some high profile international flavour to the event. First Australian home was Honda's Craig Anderson in fourth.

The Pro Lites (250cc) class provided some of the most dramatic action of the weekend as Luke George of NSW romped his way to victory in the opening race only to crash heavily in the final, giving the race win to Suzuki mounted New Zealand rider Luke Burkhart. One the final points were tallied it was Aussie team rider Lewis Stewart that claimed the overall win with two fourth place finishes, just one point ahead of Australian National Pro Lites Champion Jake Moss. The final step on the podium went to yet another Australian rider in Honda's Cameron Taylor.

With the presence of Women's World Champion Katherine Prumm who swept all three woman's races in dominating fashion, the New Zealand Oceania trophy hopes were given a valuable boost. However with more depth in the Australian woman's team, Prumm's stellar performance only minimized the damage as Australian's Kristy Gillespie and Ashlea Bates finished in second and third respectively.

Although not contributing to the overall class results, the final feature race of the day was the last chance for each nation to accumulate points towards the Oceania Trophy. The top 20 riders from both the Pro Lites and Pro Open classes were selected to lined up and do battle on the serpentine, jump filled track. Once more Coppins was untouchable and lead home Hurley and Hughes to wrap up his perfect days record, while Jake Moss fought through the dusty conditions to finish first over Cameron Taylor in second and Lewis Stewart in third.

In the Juniors event held on Saturday, Tye Simmonds (KTM) proved to be the best rider on the day cleaning up all heats, contributing to Australia's first nail on the board, as the team made its way to victory on Sunday afternoon.

Words & pix: Antony Lyon