Two Tauranga riders will compete in this weekend’s annual New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville – set be another massive “superstar showdown”, according to organisers.
Only one of 13 multi-time Woodville GP champions was expected to race again in 2026 on the purpose-built track outside of Woodville near the old Manawatu Gorge: Pāpāmoa’s Cody Cooper.
Cooper previously won overall at Woodville on three occasions – in 2007, 2014 and 2019. But this weekend he would campaign on a 250cc bike, so he won’t be in contention for the premier MX1 (450cc) class trophy.
Pāpāmoa’s Cody Cooper would campaign on a 250cc bike in the NZ Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville. Photo / Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Meanwhile, Mount Maunganui-based Josiah Natzke and Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis remain the clear favourites to win the main prize – despite a talented batch of international riders flying in, mostly from Japan and Australia.
If Natzke wins the MX1 class and Woodville outright, it would be his first time. If Purvis wins, it would be his second overall Woodville victory.
Organisers predict “another great showdown” between Purvis and Natzke.
“They are already locked in battle at the head of the field in the 2025-2026 New Zealand Motocross Championships, now at the halfway stage and set to resume with the third round of four next month.”
Grand Prix host Manawatu-Orion Motorcycle Club president Brad Ritchie said it was “an honour to continue the legacy of top-calibre motocross in New Zealand”.
The 63rd event had more than 600 riders booked for this year’s edition, which would see minis, juniors, seniors, women and veterans go to battle.
Spectators would also see action by female motorcross riders, with the two-day event hosting round one of three in the New Zealand Women’s Motocross Championships.
This meant the women’s racing would be part of the selection process for the NZ women’s motocross team for the FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup in Wongthaggi, Australia, on March 21-22.
As always, the country’s number one dirt bike event would be staged on the same plot of farmland that hosted the inaugural running in 1961.
Ritchie said the rolling grassland property, at the eastern end of the old Manawatu Gorge “looks as good as it ever has”.
“It’s been a relatively mild winter, and the venue has not suffered any serious flooding. It’s been favourable in helping us prepare a top-level race circuit,” Ritchie said.
For more information and spectator tickets, visit: www.woodvillemxgp.com