Reigning MX2 champion, Rotorua's Michael Phillips is flying high after placing first and second at the New Zealand champs in Timaru.
Phillips battled former world grand prix star Josh Coppins and current MX1 champion Justin McDonald from Christchurch in the MX1 class at the Demon Energy New Zealand Motocross Championships at
the weekend. Phillips finished with a first and two seconds, while McDonald scored a third and two fourths
In the MX2 class, Australian Cody Mackie, took injured Craig Smith's ride to two wins and a third, to top the points table at the end of round one. Tauranga's Peter Broxholme picked up a fourth and two fifths to hold fifth on the points table, while the youngest team member, Taupo teenager Cameron Dillon crashed in race one but fought back to take a sixth and an eighth in the last two races.
Team Honda are now looking ahead to this Sunday when the 2011 Demon Energy New Zealand Motocross Championships will be at Patetonga, near Morrinsville for Round Two.
Round 1 results:
MX1 R1: Michael Phillips, Rotorua, Honda, 1; Josh Coppins, Motueka, Yamaha, 2; Justin McDonald, Christchurch, Honda, 3. R2: Coppins 1; Phillips 2; Cody Cooper, Tauranga, Suzuki 3; McDonald 4. R3: Coppins, 1; Phillips, 2; Cooper, 3; McDonald, 4.
Points: Coppins 72, Phillips 69, Cooper 58, McDonald 56.
MX2 R1: Cody Mackie, Australia, Honda, 1; Daniel McCoy, Australia, Suzuki, 2; Kayne Lamont, Mangakino, Suzuki, 3; Peter Broxholme, Tauranga, Honda, 4. R2: Mackie, 1; McCoy, 2; Darryl King, Hamilton, Yamaha, 3, Broxholme, 5. R3: Luke Burkhart, Masterton, KTM, 1; King, 2; Mackie, 3; Broxholme, 5.
Points: Mackie 70, McCoy 62, King 58, Burkhart 54, Broxholme 50.
