Motocross: Cody Cooper looks to protect lead

It will be steady as she goes for Cody Cooper as he heads to the third and final round of the New Zealand Supercross Championships in Taupo next weekend with a healthy points lead.

Suzuki's Cooper won the day at the second round just outside Motueka on Sunday, doing just enough to shade local favourite Yamaha's Josh Coppins, who made his first appearance in the championship and may not have a chance of re-taking the crown he won last season.

Cooper rode sensibly to win the opening round near Timaru last weekend and it was more of the same at Motueka on Sunday as he stretched his championship lead over nearest rival Justin McDonald (Honda).

McDonald finished third in each of the open class races as Cooper and Coppins battled ahead of him.

"I only have three more races to go now, at Taupo next weekend, to wrap up the title, so I won't be taking any silly risks," Cooper said.

"I really felt good at Motueka. I came from behind in all my races and, with Josh taking different lines to me, I just decided to let him go in the last race.

"I think I have the wisdom now to protect my championship and not throw anything away."

Meanwhile, Queenstown's Scott Columb continues to dominate the senior lites (250cc) class, finishing 1-2-1 in his three outings to keep Australian Honda star Geran Stapleton at bay.

In the junior lites (250cc) class, Timaru's Josh May (Honda) was again a force to be reckoned with, finishing 1-1-2 and once more eclipsing Wellington's Josh Bartosh (Honda).

Hamilton's Josiah Natzke (Yamaha) was simply too good for his rivals in the junior lites (85cc) class, scoring a hat-trick of wins over Southland's Kyle Hartley.

Sponsored by the Backflips clothing company, this year's championship wraps up at Taupo next weekend.