The Suzuki boys have done it again.

Fresh from dominating performances at the third annual Battle of the Clubs Motocross in Taupo a week earlier, Moto City Suzuki riders again ruled the roost at the weekend, this time in the South Island.

They were racing at the annual Michael Godfrey Memorial Motocross at Omihi, just north of Christchurch, at the weekend.

Mount Maunganui’s Cody Cooper (Moto City Suzuki RM-Z450) won all five of his MX1 (open class) races at the two-day event at Omihi, and then also won the all-capacities feature final, finishing that race ahead of fellow Moto City Suzuki rider Scott Columb.

Although Cooper was unbeaten in all his six races, Columb’s form at the weekend was perhaps even more impressive.

The Suzuki RM-Z250 rider won the MX2 (250cc) class – finishing ahead of Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont (CMR Red Bull BikesportNZ.com KTM 250) – and he also raced the same 250cc bike against the bigger bikes in the MX1 class, although Columb was forced to settle for third overall – behind Cooper and former national MX1 champion Justin McDonald (Bel Ray Honda), of Christchurch.

In all, the 28-year-old Columb battled his way through 11 races over the two days, finishing in no worse than fourth position.

His battle for the MX2 crown was fierce indeed, with Lamont finishing the day just three points behind. Columb scored 2-3-1-1-1 results, while Lamont’s scoreline was 1-1-3-2-2.

“The one race I did finish fourth is the MX1 race where I completely missed the start,” Columb explained.

“I was chatting with a friend in the pits and didn’t realise it was my next race on the line. I caught up to the bunch though and settled for fourth.

“But it was all a good weekend for me and I managed to make lots of improvements that will help with my Australian campaign.”

He explained that he had failed to score points in three of his outings across the Tasman this season and that sees him down in 10th overall after five of 10 rounds of the Australian Motocross Championships.

“I’ve had a couple of flat tyres and I was taken out by a lapped rider in another race. There is so much more depth in Australia. There is not much difference in the lap times between the top 10 riders over there.”

Cooper said he, too, had been honing his form ahead of round six of the Australian nationals, set for Hervey Bay, in Queensland, on July 1.

“I have been working on my starts and that aspect was good for me all weekend at the Michael Godfrey event. My fitness and strength is now a lot better too. The bike was awesome and I want to really thank (event organiser) Graeme Allan for getting me down there. The track was great and I had a lot of fun.

“I also want to thank Andrew at Taupo Diesel Solutions, BikesportNZ.com and Suzuki New Zealand for their help too.”

Meanwhile, Atiamuri’s Dion Picard was the dominant junior rider, taking his Suzuki RM-Z250 to an unbeaten run of five wins in the junior 15-16 years’ 125/250cc class, as well as winning the junior 125-250cc feature race.

Other class winners were: Kimberley Murphy (women’s class); Dylan Walsh (12-14 years’ 125/250 class); Sam Cuthbertson (12-16 years’ 85cc class); Will Taylor (8-11 years’ 85cc class); Dean Baird (veterans’ 25-44 years); Ricky Trompetter (veterans’ over-45 years); Dean Baird (enduro class).

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