2019 Woodville GP & FIM Oceania Challenge Cup
The New Zealand MXGP at Woodville, also known as the Woodville GP is a one-off once a year event. What is normally farmland is transformed into an amazing Grand Prix Motocross park hosting over 500 Senior, Junior and Mini riders across two days. What makes the Woodville GP that extra bit special is alongside the usual Senior, Junior, Mini and Women’s classes is the iconic River Race and due to its FIM Oceania status the battle between New Zealand and Australia for the FIM Oceania Challenge Cup.
Due to extreme weather conditions, it was agreed that Sunday’s racing would consist of two races per class, instead of the planned three. While a race was cut per class it was still enough to establish clear victors and had minimal impact on the final standings, all in all, a good decision was made by the organisers ensuring the safety of all participants.
Hamish Harwood had a spectacular weekend claiming the overall victory in both the Senior 125 and MX2 classes, a great result and indication of where he’s at with the NZ Nationals kicking off next weekend.
Meanwhile in the MX1 Cody Cooper was dominant, winning both motos he claimed his third MX1 Woodville GP title, alongside his 2007 and 2014 titles. Representing Australia in the MX1 and the current NZ National MX Champion Kirk Gibbs rode consistently to achieve 2nd place in both races granting him 2nd overall and securing points towards the FIM Oceania Challenge Cup. Rounding off the podium was Cohen Chase finishing in 4th and 3rd in moto 1 and moto 2 for 3rd overall, a great ride by the NZ Supercross Champion.
While competitors were battling it out for victory in their respective classes, one person from the MX1, MX2, Junior 250 and two from the 8-11 85cc and 8-11 65cc were selected to represent their country in the FIM Oceania Challenge Cup. The points they received from their race results also contributed towards the cup.
After Saturday's racing Australia was a mere 2.5 points ahead of New Zealand. Both countries saw riders with dominant performances from Kiwi Cody Cooper claiming both wins in the MX1 and the Australian Brad West claiming all three wins in the Junior 250. After all racing was complete the Australians managed to claim the Oceania Challenge Cup by just a single point. A tremendous effort by both New Zealand and Australian riders across both days resulting in a nail-biting finish.
| FIM Oceania Challenge Cup Results | ||||
| Representing Australia | ||||
| Name | Class | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 |
| Kirk Gibbs | MX1 | 2nd | 2nd | |
| Wilson Todd | MX2 | 1st | 3rd | |
| Brad West | Junior 250 | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Jason West | 8-11 85cc | 4th | 7th | 9th |
| Hayley Ball | 8-11 85cc | 32nd | DNS | 27th |
| Hayley Ball | 8-11 65cc | 15th | 20th | DNS |
| Brooke Ball | 8-11 65cc | 19th | 19th | 20th |
| Representing New Zealand | ||||
| Name | Class | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 |
| Cody Cooper | MX1 | 1st | 1st | |
| Maximus Purvis | MX2 | 4th | 2nd | |
| James Rountree | Junior 250 | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
| Cole Davies | 8-11 85cc | 1st | DNF | 1st |
| Breanna Rodgers | 8-11 85cc | 23rd | 20th | 18th |
| Ruby Piraka | 8-11 65cc | 22nd | 22nd | 18th |
| Karaitiana Horne | 8-11 65cc | 18th | 18th | 19th |
| 2019 Class Champions | Juniors | ||||
| Seniors | Minis | Under 21s | Brodie Connolly | ||
| MX1 | Cody Cooper | 4-7 Intro Trail | Brody Sparrow | 14-16 250cc | Brad West |
| MX2 | Hamish Harwood | 4-7 Intro 50cc MX | Nico Verhoeven | 15-16 125cc | Jack Dunlop |
| Senior 125cc | Hamish Harwood | 6-8 50cc MX | Levi McMaster | 12-14 125cc | Cobie Bourke |
| Women's | Amie Roberts | 7-8 65cc MX | Arama Te Whetu | 14-16 85cc | Dylan Westgate |
| River Race | Steve Sergeant | 8-11 SW Trail | James Joblin | 12-13 85cc | Jack Symon |
| Veterans | Darren Capill | 8-11 BW Trail | Logan Clare | 8-11 85cc | Kobe Thorns |
| Vintage Motocross | Jake Tomblin | 8-11 65cc MX | Ryder Sheehan | 8-11 pro 65cc | Kase Thorns |
