THREE IN A ROW FOR COOPER

Cody Cooper made it three in a row when he romped to victory at the 35th annual Tarawera 100 cross-country endurance race on Saturday.

The Mount Maunganui man, formerly from Opotiki, took his Moto City Suzuki RM-Z450 to a comprehensive victory at the Tony Rees Honda-sponsored event on Saturday, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of another former Tarawera 100 winner, national MX2 motocross champion Darryll King (Yamaha YZ250), of Hamilton.

Third overall was Cooper’s housemate, fellow Suzuki ace Rhys Carter, crossing the finish line just 34 seconds behind King. The photo above shows Carter (left) and Cooper after the race.

Although thrilled to win the big annual event once again – and he was overwhelming favourite as the more than 160 competitors lined up for the cannon-blast start at 10am – Cooper certainly didn’t look a likely champion immediately after the start.

Unable to ignite his bike at first kick, Cooper found himself down in 65th place as the mass of riders left the start paddock and hit the bush for the first time.

But, by the end of the first of four 40-kilometre laps, Cooper had remarkably powered his way up to second spot and he was closing in fast on the surprise early leader, local hero Mitch Rees (Honda CRF450F), of Whakatane, and snatched the lead soon afterwards, a position he would never relinquish.

Rees ended up finishing fourth overall.

Full story and more photos in your next issue of KIWI RIDER magazine.