Expect the country’s most talented motocross riders to put aside their traditional rivalries and brand allegiances this weekend as they instead band together under provincial colours.

They will flock to Taupo on Saturday for the fourth annual Battle of the Clubs motocross, the event a fundraiser to help send a three-rider New Zealand team to contest the big annual Motocross of Nations (MXoN) – the Olympic Games of motocross – this year to be held in Germany.

The format used for racing this weekend will be very similar to what the Team New Zealand trio can expect when they line up in Germany against national teams from all around the world this September.

Riders will this weekend align on club loyalties, uniting under regional flags to find out which one club is the best in New Zealand motocross.

Consistency meant the host Taupo Motorcycle Club won last year’s third annual Battle of the Clubs motocross, but it was the Tauranga team’s Cody Cooper (pictured above) and Rotorua A team’s Dion Picard who were the stand-out individuals.

Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont, riding for the South Waikato team, dominated the MX2 class and other riders to shine included Pukekohe A’s Brandon Tipene, Taupo’s Hadleigh Knight, Kapimana’s Josh Bartosh, Gold Coast’s Billy Frank, Tauranga’s Rhys Carter, Nelson’s Nathan Clare, Taranaki’s Daryl Hurley, Gold Coast’s Bjarne Fredericksen, Bay of Plenty’s Darren Capill and Taranaki’s Nick Hornby, to name a few.

Cooper and Picard were the only riders to finish the day unbeaten last year.

Picard won the Junior 250/125 combined race and the Junior 250-85cc combined race as well.

Cooper won the MX1/veterans combined race and the MX1/MX2 combined race, on both occasions followed across the line by Hurley.

Approximately $9000 was raised at the event last season, that cash going towards New Zealand’s three-rider entry to the MXoN in Belgium last year, while it is hoped as similar amount will be raised to send the Kiwi team to Germany this time around.

New Zealand has a long and proud association with the MXoN.

New Zealand has been on the MXoN podium on three memorable occasions in recent times – at Foxhills, in England, in 1998 (with Darryll King, Shayne King and Josh Coppins waving the silver fern flag), at Namur, in Belgium, in 2001 (Daryl Hurley, Josh Coppins, Shayne King) and at Matterley Basin, in England, in 2006 (Josh Coppins, Cody Cooper, Ben Townley).

With Kiwi riders taking their careers overseas in increasing numbers, and New Zealanders lining up at GP events and other major international competitions, the likelihood of New Zealand winning the Motocross of Nations has gone from far-fetched dream to achievable reality.

The three riders (plus a reserve) to represent New Zealand in Germany in September are expected to be named in the coming weeks.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com