It was typically fierce Trans-Tasman rivalry in the big bike class at the weekend’s opening round of the New Zealand Motocross Championships near Timaru.

Visiting Australian KTM ace Ford Dale hounded Mount Maunganui’s MX1 class defending champion Cody Cooper (The Honda Shop CRF450) for the round one bragging rights in a day of action that could often be described as brutal.

Dale finished 2-1-3 for second overall for the day, ending up just three points behind Cooper who went 1-3-1.

Dale’s team-mate Kirk Gibbs took his KTM 450SXF to finish fourth each time, earning him fourth overall for the day, finishing the day just 10 points behind The Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team’s Scottish import Billy MacKenzie.

MacKenzie impressed with 3-2-2 results as he stepped up the pace after his first ride of the season at the Woodville GP just a fortnight previously.

“This was a pretty solid day’s work for Ford (Dale) and Kirk (Gibbs),” said KTM Australia Team manager Rob Twyerould.

“We are really only here to warm-up for our own national series (which begins in March) but, of course, we are happy to take a win or two here while we’re at it.

“We have had incredible support from KTM in New Zealand and I’m happy we were able to give them a race win in the MX1 class and to have Ford finish second overall for the day is pretty good too.”

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

Find us on Facebook HERE

Share