WORKING TOWARDS LATVIA

While Kiwi legend Josh Coppins won’t play a major part at the Motocross of Nations in Latvia this coming September, the former MXoN rider and team manager will still have a huge influence on what transpires at the great event this season.

The 37-year-old former Grand Prix rider and team manager for New Zealand’s MXoN effort in Germany last year will not be the team manager this time around because his work with Yamaha has him fully employed.

But that doesn’t mean he won’t be involved with helping to select the three-rider squad to compete at this year’s MXoN in Latvia.

“I’ll be liaising with the new team manager and helping him with all that’s required,” said Coppins.

“As far as the riders are concerned, it’s possible that (former national MX2 champion and former MXoN rider) Scott Columb may be in contention, but also we are looking at the guys we had last year in Germany – Mount Maunganui’s Rhys Carter and Mangakino’s Kayne Lamont – along with Taupo’s (former MXoN rider and national MX1 No.3) Brad Groombridge.

“That’s the short list at the moment anyway” he confirmed.

Columb, who is current national MX2 No.4, raced MX2 for New Zealand at the MXoN at Donington Park, in England, in 2008 (where the team finished 8th) and in Franciacorta, in Italy, in 2009 (where NZ finished 11th).

Groombridge raced MX2 at the MXoN for New Zealand in Denver, Colorado, in 2010 (with NZ finishing 9th).

Lamont, who is the current national MX2 champion, raced MX2 for New Zealand at the MXoN in Lommel, Belgium, in 2012 (where NZ finished 15th) and again in Germany last year (where NZ wound up ranked 20th).

Carter is currently ranked 11th in the MX1 class in Australia, with their nationals just past the halfway stage. Although an MX2 rider until the start of this year, he raced MX1 when he made his MXoN debut in Germany last season.

Meanwhile, despite the above riders being considered, Motorcycling New Zealand is still calling for applications from riders to join the 2014 Motocross of Nations team.

The team consists of three and the positions that need to be filled are: MX1, MX 2 and Open (there is no maximum age for the MX2 class).

The Motocross of Nations will be held in Kegums, Latvia on September 28.

To view the MNZ selection policy click HERE

Applications forms are available to download HERE. Application must be submitted by 5pm on July 25.

Please complete the application form and send to:

Motorcycling New Zealand
PO Box 253, Huntly 3740
vicky@mnz.co.nz

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