Motorsport: Motorcross boss hopes it's third time lucky

Tony Cooksley says he's thrilled to be managing the New Zealand team, which has often been among the top six at the international event. Photo / BikesportNZ.com

Auckland's Tony Cooksley will be hoping it is third time lucky when he again manages the New Zealand squad heading to Europe for the annual Motocross of Nations this September.

Cooksley, 56, from Pukekohe, was named this week to manage the three-rider squad - yet to be selected - which will race against the world's elite in Belgium on September 30, making it his third consecutive appointment as the Kiwi team manager.

The race circuit being used for this year's "Olympic Games of Motocross"event is at the very deep sand track of Lommel.

"I'm really looking forward to the trip," said Cooksley. "I have made a lot of good contacts in Europe over the years and basically it's my job again to make sure everything comes together for the team, from sorting out accommodation to working out how to approach the racing.

"We don't know yet who the riders might be but [former world championship star] Josh Coppins, from Motueka, has already indicated he'll be available. We just have to see who is healthy and ready to go when we make the selections at the end of July.

"Of course I'm honoured and thrilled to be chosen as team manager. New Zealand has typically been one of the top six teams in the world at this event and I don't see any reason why we can't be again this year.

"It is very hard for smaller countries like New Zealand to come up with an under-23 rider, a stipulation that limits our scope a little. A lot of small countries like us can come up with three strong international-class riders but one of them has to be aged under 23 and that restricts us a bit.

"We don't have any New Zealanders racing the world championships this season but I still believe we have a good chance of finishing on the podium if everything falls into place on the day."

Motorcycling New Zealand motocross commissioner Bryan Davidson, of Marton, said it was "awesome" to have received so many high-quality applications for the role of New Zealand team manager. "And with support for the future from the sport's worldwide governing body, the International Motorcycling Federation, it is very encouraging for our young riders coming through. This year Motorcycling New Zealand has received funding for the team from the federation and this gives us the chance to do the job properly."

New Zealand has a long, proud history at this event, having finished on the third step of the podium in England in 1998. New Zealand was third in Belgium in 2001 and was the world's No3 team in England in 2006.

Team New Zealand failed to qualify for the main race at this event last year when the country's top riders were injured, but a development squad was sent.