Team New Zealand qualify for Motocross of Nations.

With a record breaking crowd already turned out to watch the Saturday qualifying sessions, Team New Zealand were anxious to prove to the world that they are one of the strongest motocross nations in the world.

First up was Josh Coppins in the MX 1 class. Lizzard would be up against the three toughest contenders in the form of USA’s Ricky Carmichael, Belgium’s Stefan Everts and Frech favourite Mikael Pichon. Disaster struck for Coppins in the first turn when a first turn pileup saw the Kiwi at the bottom of the wreckage. Coppins managed to retrieve his mangled bike and rejoined the race bruised and battered. He managed to claw back some positions and finished 16th keeping New Zealand within a qualifying hopes.

Cody Cooper was the next soldier for New Zealand in the MX2 class. After flying halfway around the globe to replace an injured Daryl Hurley, Cooper got the job done by racing to 11th position leaving the last task of the day to Ben Townley.

A small wrist altercation in practice was not going to hold Townley back who was contending the Open class. He didn’t get a great start and had plenty of work to do as he raced through the field. Within three laps, Townley was into the lead with American Kevin Windham hot on his heels. The French crowd cheered on BT when Windham got within striking distance however Townley upped his pace and succeeded in pulling a comfortable lead. Townley cruised to victory confirming New Zealand’s place in the final.

Qualifying results

MX1

1 Carmichael Ricky, Usa, Suzuki, 25:09.757
2 Pichon Mickael, Fra, Honda, 25:14.108
3 Everts Stefan, Bel, Yamaha, 25:37.813
4 Cairoli Antonio, Ita, Yamaha, 25:49.084
5 Jorgensen Brian, Den, Yamaha, 25:53.354
6 Mackenzie Billy, Gbr, Yamaha, 26:00.240
7 Bill Julien , Sui, Ktm, 26:01.036
8 Nagl Maximilian, Ger, Ktm, 26:03.634
9 Leok Tanel, Est, Kawasaki, 26:14.725
10 Swanepoel Garreth, Rsa, Kawasaki, 26:18.286
11 Pyrhonen Antti , Fin, Tm, 26:21.973
12 Crockard Gordon, Irl, Yamaha, 26:24.863
13 Masuda Kazumasa, Jpn, Honda, 26:31.945
14 Kucirek Miroslav, Cze, Honda, 26:41.279
15 Barragan Jonathan, Spa, Ktm, 26:44.806
16 Coppins Joshua, Nzl, Honda, 26:45.735

MX2

1 Tortelli Sébastien, Fra, Ktm, 25:34.338
2 Rodrigues Joaquim, Por, Honda, 25:37.451
3 Ramon Steve, Bel, Ktm, 25:38.360
4 Tedesco Ivan, Usa, Kawasaki, 25:39.464
5 Mcfarlane Andrew, Aus, Yamaha, 25:45.606
6 Nunn Carl, Gbr, Ktm, 25:48.392
7 Guarneri Davide, Ita, Yamaha, 25:53.469
8 Rattray Tyla, Rsa, Ktm, 25:57.628
9 Seistola Matti, Fin, Honda, 25:59.508
10 Leok Aigar, Est, Ktm, 26:11.337
11 Cooper Cody, Nzl, Honda, 26:12.992
12 Campano Carlos, Spa, Ktm, 26:15.186
13 Dehaan Doug, Can, Yamaha, 26:24.258
14 Parshin Dimitry, Rus, Ktm, 26:44.247
15 Zaremba Jan, Cze, Ktm, 26:49.357

MX Open

1 Townley Ben, Nzl, Ktm, 25:04.978
2 Windham Kevin, Usa, Honda, 25:08.684
3 Strijbos Kevin, Bel, Suzuki, 25:24.159
4 Vuillemin David, Fra, Yamaha, 25:36.969
5 Philippaerts David, Ita, Ktm, 25:46.670
6 Laansoo Juss, Est, Honda, 25:50.953
7 Atsuta Yoshitaka, Jpn, Suzuki, 25:52.543
8 Ristori Marc, Sui, Honda, 26:03.519
9 Noble James, Gbr, Honda, 26:09.366
10 Goncalves Rui, Por, Yamaha, 26:10.551
11 Garcia Vico Francisco, Spa, Honda, 26:19.501
12 Pirinen Jukka, Fin, Honda, 26:23.414
13 Bradshaw Neville, Rsa, Suzuki, 26:24.812
14 Verhoeven Bas, Ned, Honda, 26:25.292
15 Norlen Marcus, Swe, Suzuki, 26:32.729

Nations Qualification

1 USA, 3
1 Qualrace 1, Carmichael Ricky, Suzuki, Mx1
2 Qualrace 3, Windham Kevin, Honda, Open
(4) Qualrace 2, Tedesco Ivan, Kawasaki, Mx2

2 France, 3
1 Qualrace 2, Tortelli Sébastien, Ktm, Mx2
2 Qualrace 1, Pichon Mickael, Honda, Mx1
(4) Qualrace 3, Vuillemin David, Yamaha, Open

3 Belgium, 6
3 Qualrace 1, Everts Stefan, Yamaha, Mx1
3 Qualrace 2, Ramon Steve, Ktm, Mx2
(3) Qualrace 3, Strijbos Kevin, Suzuki, Open

4 Italy, 9
4 Qualrace 1, Cairoli Antonio, Yamaha, Mx1
5 Qualrace 3, Philippaerts David, Ktm, Open
(7) Qualrace 2, Guarneri Davide, Yamaha, Mx2

5 Great Britain, 12
6 Qualrace 1, Mackenzie Billy, Yamaha, Mx1
6 Qualrace 2, Nunn Carl, Ktm, Mx2
(9) Qualrace 3, Noble James, Honda, Open

6 New Zealand, 12
1 Qualrace 3, Townley Ben, Ktm, Open
11 Qualrace 2, Cooper Cody, Honda, Mx2
(16) Qualrace 1, Coppins Joshua, Honda, Mx1