Motocross: Former foes unite to tackle Woodville

Cody Cooper (above) and former champion Ben Townley make a formidable rider/manager combo heading into the Woodville GP. Photo / Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

This is 'greatest show on turf', says Andy McGechan

Bay of Plenty rider Ben Townley was the big winner at the popular annual New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville last season and he is making plans to celebrate victory this time too, possibly without even touching a motocross bike.

This "greatest show on turf" is just over a week away and the 53rd annual running of the big Honda-sponsored event, on the weekend of January 25-26, is set to be another huge "superstar showdown".

Townley announced his retirement from professional racing last March, so he won't be lining up to defend his Woodville crown, but that doesn't mean he won't have a huge impact on who does.

Townley manages The Honda Shop Racing Team and his No 1 rider, Mt Maunganui's national MX1 champion Cody Cooper, is widely tipped to win at Woodville this year.

Cooper, then riding a Suzuki, finished runner-up to Townley in the MX1 class at Woodville last season, before stepping up to clinch the MX1 crown at the 2013 New Zealand Motocross Championships in the weeks that followed.

Cooper then joined Townley at Honda late last year and, no longer rivals on the race track, they make a daunting combination now united as manager and rider. Cooper last won the main trophy at Woodville in 2007, also then riding a Honda.

"Woodville is one of the best events on the New Zealand race calendar," said Townley. "It is a big trophy to have on the mantelpiece. It is also good preparation for the upcoming motocross nationals."

But impressive as the Townley and Cooper combination might be, they will still have a job on their hands to fend off some mighty opposition at Woodville.

The Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team, CMR Red Bull KTM Team, Bel Ray Pro Rider Suzuki Team and Kawasaki New Zealand line-ups are imposing on any day of the week, but when they bring in a selection of international stars to bolster their ranks for the Woodville GP, fans know they are in for some fireworks.

Scottish former world championship contender Billy MacKenzie drops in to race for Yamaha, while KTM has the services of Australian riders Kirk Gibbs and Ford Dale for the Woodville weekend.

Husqvarna poses an exciting new threat in the form of Mangakino international Kayne Lamont and British visitor Rob Holyoake, from Gloucestershire, while Australian hero Brock Winston may also appear on a Husqvarna at Woodville.

The Broxy Race Team will have New Caledonia pair Laurent Sath and Hugo Max further adding to the international quota at Woodville.

Townley sprang a surprise last week by revealing he would again don helmet and boots to tackle the unique River Race at Woodville, with the bikes splashing through the churning water a real crowd favourite.

In a rare outing, he will ride a Honda CRF450X enduro bike to challenge Yamaha's two-time former American cross-country champion Paul Whibley, of Pahiatua, for river race honours.

"It's just another box I want to tick," said Townley.

This race will be one of the last in New Zealand for Kiwi international Whibley before he heads back to the US to tackle the Grand National Cross-country Championships.