TEAM MANAGER NAMED | Bikesportnz

Auckland’s Tony Cooksley will be hoping it is third time lucky when he again manages the New Zealand squad heading to Europe for the annual Motocross of Nations this September.

The 56-year-old Cooksley was this week named to manage the three-rider squad – yet to be selected and named – which is set to race against the world’s elite in Belgium on September 30, making it his third consecutive appointment as Kiwi team manager.

The race circuit being used for this year’s “Olympic Games of Motocross” event is at the very deep sand track of Lommel, about 35 kilometres from Eindhoven.

“I’m really looking forward to the trip,” said Cooksley. “I have made a lot of good contacts in Europe over the years and basically it’s my job again to make sure everything comes together for the team, from sorting out accommodation to working out how to approach the racing.”

“We don’t know yet who the riders might be but (former world championship star) Josh Coppins, from Motueka, has already indicated he’ll be available. We just have to see who is healthy and ready to go when we make the selections at the end of July,” said Cooksley.

“Of course I’m honoured and thrilled to be chosen as team manager. New Zealand has typically been one of the top six teams in the world at this event and I don’t see any reason why we can’t be again this year.”

Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) motocross commissioner Bryan Davidson, of Marton, said it was “awesome” to have received so many high-quality applications for the role of New Zealand team manager.

“And with support for the future from the sport’s worldwide governing body, the FIM, it is very encouraging for our young riders coming through. This year MNZ has received funding for the team from the FIM and this gives us the chance to do the job properly.”

New Zealand has a long and proud history at this event, having finished on the third step of the podium at Foxhills, in England, in 1998. New Zealand was third again at Namur, in Belgium, in 2001 and was the world’s No.3 team again in Winchester, England, in 2006.

Team New Zealand failed to qualify for the main race at this event last year when the country’s top riders were injured and a “development squad” only was sent.

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