Kiwi Supercross rider Cole Davies has excelled in the US.
Kiwi Supercross rider Cole Davies roared back from injury to win the American AMA Supercross Eastern Division 250MX championship with a round to spare. Davies emulated the feat fellow New Zealander Ben Townley achieved back in 2007.
In a full-circle moment, Townley has been mentoring Davies and was instrumental in helping the teenager move from the Dairy Flat village of Waitoki to the big stage in the US in 2025. The win has meant everything to Davies.
“The feeling [of winning the title] was a bit of everything and a mixture of relief and excitement,” Davies told the Weekend Herald.
“All the hard work that everyone’s put in is paying off now and it means everything to me. I’ve spent most of life getting to this moment and my family have made so many sacrifices to get me here.
“Four or five years ago, we sat down in Ben Townley’s living room and set out a plan about what we we’re going to do and how to get here. We followed that plan step by step and everything has worked out.
“It’s all happened so quickly and I’m just so stoked.”
Cole’s first season in 2025 started well, but he was soon sidelined with a serious injury that included a broken arm and nose at the Salt Lake City Supercross final. On his return to competition, he was sidelined again in late 2025 after breaking his thumb. Despite missing a number of races he was still named the 2025 250MX Rookie of the Year.
“Yeah, [the accident] affected me. It was kind of like a step back before taking two steps forward. It was a pretty long process getting back to where I was and then trying to get better,” he said.
Davies made a couple of big names sit up and pay attention when he first landed in the US. Ten-time AMA Supercross and motocross champion Ryan Villopoto and 15-time AMA Supercross and motocross champion Ricky Carmichael both sung the Kiwi’s praises because of his smooth and relentless riding style.
“I’m always feeling pretty good on the bike. I would say my technique has always been pretty decent, but I still work on some things here and there.
“I’m kind of flowing on the bike and not bashing around on it. It’s more like a roll. I’m just rolling on the turn, not coming in slamming the brakes on and then slamming the gas on. It’s all about the roll speed and having a bit of finesse and that’s something I’ve always worked on.
“I’m always constantly working on getting better. I always feel like I’m pretty confident with my bike and how I ride. I do feel like I’m at one with my bike and I don’t feel like I make many mistakes. Getting the technique right is definitely a strong point for me,” said Davies.
Once the dust has settled after his championship win, Davies will focus on the outdoor motocross season. He has already had his first day of testing and is pleased that everything is heading in the right direction.
Next season will be Davies’ last in the 250 SMX and after that he has to move up into the class.
“It [testing] was good and we developed a good setup with the suspension and we’re ready for the outdoor season.
“I definitely enjoy Supercross and I feel like it almost comes a bit easier to me because I feel like I’ve got a bit more finesse. Motocross is different and the motos are much longer so your fitness has to be good.
“I still feel I have the hard work, dedication and talent to excel in outdoors, so excited for that.
“I only have one more year in SMZ and then I have to move up to the 450 class. I have to start setting myself up for that including more training and I’m really excited about that [moving up a class],” he said.