Kiwis Go To MXoN:

[denill]

PRESS RELEASE

The BAY OF PLENTY MOTORCYCLE CLUB INC. have donated $1,500.00 to the
2007 Motocross Of Nations team.
After reading Josh Coppins' article in the latest August 07 KiwiRider
magazine, we felt that the support he has given NZ and our club in
particular by competing at our Summer-X event in December, it was a
small gesture to help our "Kiwi Team" along on their 2007 MXoN campaign.
The club has also decided to go a step further and have set-up a
Motorcross of Nations Appeal account for those clubs, motorcycle fans,
individuals, and businesses to give the NZ team a helping hand and
support they will require to represent our country in this massive World
Motocross event to be held at Budds Creek in the United States in September.
The account details are:
Account Name: Motorcross of Nations Appeal
Account Number: 03-0490-0346580-000
Bank: Westpac
Branch: Whakatane
Many thanks
Bay of Plenty Motorcycle Club Inc Committee

[denill]

Helen and Mike will contribute. (Tui add here!)

[denill]

The following is from AMA Racing...

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the members of AMA Team USA. The team will compete at the 2007 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) scheduled for Sept. 22- 23, at Budds Creek Motocross Raceway in Maryland.

The riders selected to represent the United States are James Stewart (MX1), Ryan Villopoto (MX2), and Ricky Carmichael (MX3).

The team was announced yesterday, along with Monster Energy being named the team sponsor during ceremonies at the 2007 AMA Air Nautiques Amateur Motocross National Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

“AMA Team USA is thrilled that Monster has taken on the role as team sponsor,” said AMA Pro Racing Motocross/Supercross Series Manager Steve Whitelock. “The financial support that Monster Energy is providing to the team will make a significant contribution to this year’s effort.”

American riders have won the prestigious event 17 times, more than any other country. Three-rider teams, representing countries from around the globe, compete in the historic event often called the “Olympics of Motorcycling.”

Monster AMA Team USA is the reigning champion, having won the event last September in Winchester, England. Stewart, Villopoto and Ivan Tedesco made up last year’s team, Tedesco filling in for the injured Carmichael who was on hand as team captain. From 1981 to 1993, Team USA was undefeated in the Motocross of Nations, winning 13 straight times. Team USA was also victorious in 1996, 2000 and 2005, in addition to last year.

This marks Carmichael’s seventh time representing the United States on the MXoN team. Stewart and Villopoto both debuted for the United States last year.

This year will be only the second time the Motocross of Nations has been held on U.S. soil. The last time was 1987 at the Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New Berlin, New York.

For additional information on the 2007 Motocross of Nations visit www.buddscreek.com/mx-of-nations.

[denill]

It will take a VERY brave person to say USA will not win the MXoN

[Danger]

With that line up you are right. And with Josh Coppins and Daryl Hurley currently injured who knows what state our teams going to be in?

[denill]

With that line up you are right. And with Josh Coppins and Daryl Hurley currently injured who knows what state our teams going to be in?

Don't you think Cody Coops will go instead of Hurls?

And it's looking like josh could be OK by then - but only just.

[Danger]

I think Cody only went the last two years because DH was injured. This year I don't know. Perhaps he has leap frogged DH now.
I think Josh "just" being ready isn't going to be good enough. Same with DH. With an uninjured DH I think the last two years would have been even better for us. Cooper did improve last year, but his two 23rd placings the year before really hurt when both Josh and Ben had class wins. Josh did not have a good MXoN last year, but Cody got a better result which helped our points. Even Ben did not have as good a ride last year as the year before. Understandable after being out just about all season with injury.
So Ben will be on top of his game if he stays injury free.
Josh and DH coming back from injury are unlikely to be up to full speed.
Cody? I don't know. He seems to be a bit hot and cold at times. Lets hope he can improve this year if he does go. But even one rider off form really effects the whole team.

[scott411]

You talk about 05, i was their, and i drove Coops down to Ernee that year,

coop's 2 23's were pretty good considering the bike was near stock, it got organised in a week, it had 450 suspension in it, and coops never got to ride it until the day before the des nations started, i still think it would have been better to put BT on the 250F, and coops on a 450 in France, but thats only my own opinion.

A hurt Josh is still better than a fully fit Hurley or Coops, main reason is the factory bike that he will get to take,

i Think they will take Coops as he is racing over their anyway, (see latest DRD) although i do think Hurls would ride better in that situation,

its a different world over their, Coops has been on the back foot both years with borrowed bikes, not much set up time etc, he ahs the talent to run faster and hopefully he can this year

[denill]

You talk about 05, i was their, and i drove Coops down to Ernee that year,

coop's 2 23's were pretty good considering the bike was near stock, it got organised in a week, it had 450 suspension in it, and coops never got to ride it until the day before the des nations started, i still think it would have been better to put BT on the 250F, and coops on a 450 in France, but thats only my own opinion.

A hurt Josh is still better than a fully fit Hurley or Coops, main reason is the factory bike that he will get to take,

i Think they will take Coops as he is racing over their anyway, (see latest DRD) although i do think Hurls would ride better in that situation,

its a different world over their, Coops has been on the back foot both years with borrowed bikes, not much set up time etc, he ahs the talent to run faster and hopefully he can this year

So would they take both Coops and Hurls - and keep either one as a back up??

Really either could supply the support BT and Josh would need. Coops did damned well last year and I reckon he would be better for that this year.

[scott411]

it comes down to cost to take both, you have to get bikes, plus mechanics and support crew their, its more than just one plane ticket,

we are lucky the teams pick up the bill for BT and Josh, and Cas Honda has looked after Cody for the last 2 years, out of the goodness of their heart, and their respect for the MXdN

[denill]

Motorcycling Australia has today announced the team that will represent Australia at the 2007 Motocross of Nations to be held in the United States in September.

The event that will take place in Budds Creek on 22-23 September will feature a strong Aussie line-up, consisting of Michael Byrne, Andrew McFarlane and Chad Reed, as well as Team Manager Gary Benn.

All three of the chosen riders currently ride in America, and with previous experience at the Budds Creek track, Australia is sure to be one of the top teams in contention for outright honours.

Brett Metcalfe and Daniel Reardon have been named as the reserve riders for the team, and having formed part of the 2006 team that competed in England, will add valuable back-up if needed.

Speaking of the team selection, Team Manager Gary Benn noted that it is possibly one of the best line-ups for a Motocross of Nations that Australia has named in years, and admitted that he has high hopes of a podium finish.

“Seeing that it is in America, and given that it is those three guys riding, you would think that if we don’t finish on the podium we must have had some sort of a mishap,” he said.

“That would be the only thing I could think of that would stop us being on the podium - as long as we don’t have any bad luck, or any breakage or crashes, I can’t see why we wouldn’t finish on the podium.”

Benn revealed that the whole team will be catching up in the week prior to the event at Chad Reed’s property in Florida, and said that the riders had a fairly strong bond which was likely to benefit the team.

“They are all going to Chad’s place in Florida for the week before, so I will get over there on the Tuesday morning and we will have that as time leading up before the event as a week spent together,” he said.

“I know that they are in different teams, but I guess it’s sort of natural that any Aussies who are in another country, and have the same interest, and same job, always have a sort of a bond anyway.

“You wouldn’t say that they’re the best of mates, but there is always that factor that at the end of the day they are all Aussies, and I know that they get on very well.”

Benn also revealed that Metcalfe was not considered for selection in the team due to an injury at the time of selection.

“When the team was picked, Brett was injured, and although at the moment he is riding really well, the reason why he was made a reserve was due to the fact that he was coming back from injury when the team had to be picked.”

Speaking of his selection from his home in America, McFarlane admitted to being ecstatic with the news, and said that it meant a lot for him to be able to represent his country.

“I think for any Aussie, you have the dream to one day wear the green and gold in whatever sport. Whether that’s for Motocross or in the Olympics or any sport, it’s definitely something special and always something I have wanted to do,” he said.

“I like to wear the green and gold gear, and I love representing my country event though I haven’t been home for a long time.

“I’ve worked hard all my career, and to be chosen and be thought of as one of the best riders in Australia means a lot to me.”

McFarlane added that he believes the 2007 Australian Team to be exceptionally strong, and hopes that with the right preparation, a top-five finish can occur.
“I think it has been a long time coming for us to all get together,” he said.

“There are a lot of positive things with the line up and it is something that I am really excited about.

“We will just prepare ourselves as best as we possibly can - I think it is really possible for us to get a top-five finish, and that’s what we’re aiming for.”

[denill]

AUGUST 8, 2007: Team New Zealand means business.


It was announced today that Motueka’s Josh Coppins, Taupo’s Ben Townley and Tauranga’s Cody Cooper will represent New Zealand at this year’s edition of the Motocross of Nations.


Motorcycling New Zealand debated long into the night about which riders to send to the annual Motocross of Nations – the international teams’ championship that is often labelled the “Olympic Games of Motocross” – and feels confident its three chosen representatives have the best chance of winning.


“This is the year I feel we are the most likely to succeed,” said MNZ CEO Paul Pavletich.


“Cody is a lot stronger and more confident now than he was last year; Ben is on fire in the United States and I expect Josh will be world champion before the year is out. I am oozing confidence,” he said.


This year’s Motocross of Nations will be held at Budds Creek, near Washington DC, on the east coast of the United States, on September 22-23.


It was the same trio of riders who put New Zealand on the podium -- third overall from the 31 countries that qualified -- at last year’s edition of the great race, staged near Winchester, south-west of London.


Third is the best New Zealand has ever achieved at this stand-alone clash of countries – and the team did that in 1998 and 2001, as well as last year – so it is likely that the Kiwis will again be among the favoured line-ups in the US next month.


Coppins is 43 points clear at the top of the standings in the MX1 world championships after 12 of 15 rounds and Townley currently tops the Lites (250cc four-stroke) class in the United States after eight of 12 rounds.


New Zealand team manager Russell Burling explained that Hawera’s Daryl Hurley, the other contender for the No.3 spot in the team that has again been assigned to Cooper, was “extremely gracious” about the final decision.


“Normally Daryl would probably be our pick for the No.3 spot but with him breaking his collarbone a few weeks ago and with Cody riding so well in Australia at the moment, we thought that this was the way to go. Daryl phoned me and said he’d gladly step aside in favour of Cody,” said Burling.


Cooper will have two Honda CRF450 bikes waiting for him in the US. At the conclusion of his Australian campaign this weekend, Cooper heads to the US to contest the final two rounds of the American national series as part of a build-up to the Motocross of Nations. His bikes are being prepared for him by Pro Circuit in California.


“It is probably wishful thinking to believe we will beat the Americans on their home turf (the US is a record 17-time winner at the Motocross of Nations and also won in England last season), but I expect we will rate as the No.2 favoured team,” said Burling.


“Motorcycling New Zealand has been terrific in its support and I believe a lot of New Zealand fans will be making the trip to cheer the boys on too.”