The Altherm JCR Yamaha team had a positive first hit-out in the 2023 senior New Zealand Motocross Championships’ first round of four, in Balclutha, on Sunday.
Although the three riders were amongst the top three in their classes, as always, they are seeking more.
Team manager Josh Coppins says: “Three riders on three podiums, we can’t complain too much but of course we would've liked to be on the top step, so there’s a little bit of work to do.”
It has been a stop-start period of time in the motocross racing circles with the nationals cancelled last season due to Covid-19. The riders finally got to line up on the race track at the season-opening, stand-alone MX Fest event in Taupo in October, before being sidelined again last month when January’s 2023 New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville was rained off.
Altherm JCR Yamaha’s MX1 rider Maximus Purvis fought hard over the three Southland races but finished in the same runner up position he earned in Taupo - this time behind Hamish Harwood.
Although Mangakino’s Purvis was the first to put his hand up and take ownership of making “too many mistakes,” Coppins credited him with riding extremely well.
“I rode not too bad in the first and second races. Then in the third moto I got the holeshot and just got a flow going and ended up winning it. The bike was primo and did everything I wanted it to. I’m feeling not too bad and have still got stuff to work on but I will be ready at the next round,” Purvis says.
Coppins says Purvis is “really a rookie in MX1. He’s coming in this year off the back of two national MX2 championship wins. This season he wants to capture the MX1 title but the Yamaha YZ450 is a slightly tougher bike.”
“Max probably lacked a little race craft in moto one, trying to win it all too early and he made a mistake. He was more calculated for race two, then won race three. He’s sitting second in the championship, only 5 points off the lead and he’s in a good place heading up to tracks he’s more comfortable on.”
Oparau’s James Scott is just beginning his time with the Altherm JCR Yamaha team in the MX2 class. With Woodville’s cancellation he has only had three races to get to grips with his Yamaha YZ250F.
Coppins says he “certainly has a lot of potential” and demonstrated he is on the right pathway with a third placing overall.
“We have to be realistic, as his journey with us has been short and he will be building through the main part of the season. He will be good, there's no doubt about it and we are looking forward to the next round.”
Scott says he “got better towards the end of the day.”
“The bike was perfect all weekend and everything worked well. It was my first big event with Josh there and he’s awesome to have at races,” he says.
The team’s 15-year-old youngster Cole Davies rode for the first time in the senior national class.
Coppins was impressed with his performance.
“At that young age, running at the front at that level, it really shows his capabilities. Cole holeshot a couple of races and led a couple of laps, ultimately finishing second. He had good speed and certainly would’ve learned a lot. Myself and Ben Townley will put those findings into action and help him progress.”
Davies will miss the nationals’ second round as he heads to the United States to race in round two of the Supercross Futures AMA National Championship, where he is currently 4th in the standings.
“It’s a double edged sword as we want to help him progress at that overseas level but unfortunately lose the chance to fight for a New Zealand title with Cole missing round two. However, it has always been the Yamaha brand’s philosophy to nurture our riders and give them international experience. We really want to have the pathway to the next world champion.”
“We support Cole wholeheartedly. His US campaign is a combined effort from Ben Townley, Altherm JCR Yamaha, associated sponsors and the Davies family putting a lot into it. Everyone is on the same page wanting to shoot for that international glory and Cole will be back for round three and four.
Davies was enthusiastic about his debut at the senior nationals.
“I had a great day ending up second overall and had some mean battles with Hamish [Harwood],” he says.
The next national championship round is in a fortnight, close to Rotorua, on February 26. The third round is near Hastings on March 19 and the final outing is at Taupo, on March 26.
R1 NZMX RESULTS:
MX1
1st Hamish Harwood – 72
2nd Maximus Purvis (YZ450) – 67
3rd Cody Cooper – 62
MX2
1st Cody Cooper – 75
2nd Cobie Bourke – 60
3rd James Scott (YZ250F) – 58
MX125
1st Hamish Harwood – 75
2nd Cole Davies (YZ125) – 66
3rd Logan Denize – 58