Motocross of Nations: NZ Riders Back Where They Belong 28 Sep 2015
Related articles
- Niki Roderick Extends Depth To New Zealand Record Sport
- NZ More Interested in All Whites than All Blacks Sport
- All Whites claim historic point Sport
- Minister launches SmartGate in Wellington Travel
- Prime Minister to travel to South Africa News
- Brownlee Leads Aviation Mission To Shanghai News
- Trams to make a comeback on Auckland’s streets News
- Snow on The Remarkables Living
- Team Selected for Ultimate Ride Jet-ski Sport
- Trubridge Triumphs With Unassisted Freedive Record Sport
Bikesport NZ
2015 Motocross of Nations in France
New Zealand Riders Back Where They Belong
SEPTEMBER 28, 2015: New Zealand is back where it belongs, among the world's motocross elite.
From failing to qualify at the Motocross of Nations in Latvia last season to ranking No.8 in the world this time around at Ernee, in France ... it's an amazing comeback for the Kiwis at this big annual "Olympic Games of motocross".
"From not qualifying one season, to being inside the top 10 the next. I'm blown away," said Team New Zealand manager Howard Lilly after Sunday's final race at the steep and picturesque circuit near Rennes.
"I'm actually lost for words. It was a fantastic team effort with the riders receiving massive support from mechanics, supporters, sponsors ... everyone really."
Bay of Plenty's Ben Townley (MXGP class) was the leading individual, finishing 6th and 2nd in his two races, while Mount Maunganui's Cody Cooper (open class) managed 20th and 30th. Unfortunately, the third member of the team, Mangakino's Kayne Lamont (MX2, 250cc class), was blighted with bad luck, suffering three separate mechanical issues with his bike and was unable to finish either of his races. He was credited only with 34th and 35th placings.
"With us finishing eighth in the world despite having two non finishes gives you some idea of how impressive and important Ben Townley's results were. He is still a world class rider, even though he retired from fulltime racing two years ago.
"We are very disappointed about what happened to Kayne Lamont and his results are no reflection on him at all. It's just that it was he who copped all the bad luck," said Lilly.
Meanwhile, host country France, also the defending champions, fought off a stiff challenge from the United States trio to send the masses of screaming French fans into a joyous riot.
Third best nation was Belgium, followed by Estonia, Switzerland, The Netherlands and Australia, the latter finishing just 15 points ahead of the unlucky New Zealanders.
Each rider raced twice and, with five of the six results to be counted towards the team total, Lamont's cracked frame, engine seizure and then re-occurring rear brake issues proved extremely costly.
Team New Zealand received generous support for this year's bid from Kiwi companies WIL Sport Management and Workshop Graphics, and also appreciated the fundraising undertaken by the Taupo Motorcycle Club with their Battle of the Clubs motocross event earlier this year adding to the campaign coffers.
The Motocross of Nations will be hosted by Italy next September.
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more