- Altherm JCR Yamaha delivered a dominant showing at Whakatāne Summercross, with Maximus Purvis taking the MX1 overall and Hayden Draper sweeping all four MX2 motos.
- The one-off Bay of Plenty summer event proved a crucial warm-up as riders fine-tuned fitness, bike setup and race pace ahead of the Woodville GP and the final rounds of the NZ Motocross Championship.
- Yamaha strength ran deep across the classes, claiming wins in MX3, Youth MX and Vets 45+, while also filling multiple podium positions throughout the meeting.
The Altherm JCR Yamaha team kicked off the heart of the summer motocross season in style, claiming multiple class wins and podiums at the annual Whakatāne Summercross at Awakaponga Motorcycle Track.
Held as a one-off summer showdown in the Bay of Plenty, Summercross has long been regarded as a key event, offering riders a valuable chance to sharpen race fitness and bike set-up ahead of the final national rounds.
A light sprinkling of rain on Friday night helped prepare the Awakaponga surface, and Team Manager Josh Coppins was pleased with both the track conditions and the way his riders delivered under race-day pressure.
“It was a good day for us,” said Coppins. “The track was in great condition and the riders performed really well across the classes.”
Purvis finds his flow in MX1
In the premier MX1 class, Mangakino’s Maximus Purvis overcame a slow start to take the overall victory. After finishing second in the opening two motos, Purvis found his rhythm in the longer races, winning motos three and four to secure the overall.
“Maximus rode well but just didn’t quite have the fitness and feeling he normally would,” Coppins explained. “He’s had a bit of time off, but now he’ll build towards Woodville and the final two rounds of the nationals.”
Purvis was quick to acknowledge early mistakes before turning his day around.
“My day didn’t start off too good with stupid mistakes, but I sorted a couple of things out and came away with the win.”
Scott steps up for valuable MX1 experience
Oparau rider James Scott made the jump from his usual MX2 category to MX1 for the event, finishing a solid third overall aboard his two-stroke Yamaha YZ250.
Scott admitted the move was about experience rather than results, using the event as a training and testing opportunity ahead of the nationals.
“I decided to race MX1 just for something a bit different,” Scott said. “It was lonely racing at times, but it was still really good practice.”
Coppins added that both Scott and Purvis had taken time away from racing to focus on work commitments, making Summercross an important step back into competition intensity.
Draper dominates MX2
In MX2, Karaka-based Hayden Draper was untouchable, winning all four motos and completing a perfect scorecard for the day.
“Hayden was extremely good and dominated Summercross,” said Coppins.
Draper was equally upbeat post-race.
“I’m stoked with the bike and how everything went. I can’t wait for the Woodville GP and then the last two rounds of nationals with the Altherm JCR Yamaha team.”
Strong showing across the classes
Beyond the headline classes, Coppins highlighted the depth of Yamaha success throughout the meeting, with Yamaha riders taking wins in the Vets 45+ class, MX3 and Youth MX categories, while also filling second and third on the Women’s podium.
“It was a great day for the Yamaha brand,” Coppins said. “We’re happy to tick off another event with strong results and now we’ll keep building for Woodville and the final rounds of the championship.”
Whakatāne Summercross results
MX1
1st Maximus Purvis (YZ450) – 192
2nd Josiah Natzke – 192
3rd James Scott (YZ250) – 170
MX2
1st Hayden Draper (YZ250F) – 200
2nd Flynn Watts (YZ250F) – 179
3rd Jack Ellingham – 161
MX3
1st Josh de Reus – 146
2nd Mitchell Gleeson – 134
3rd Jamie Bennett – 127
Youth MX
1st Carson Carroll (YZ125) – 146
2nd Travis Taylor – 139
3rd Connor Feather – 129
Women’s
1st Karaitiana Horne – 146
2nd Mikayla Griffiths (YZ250F) – 134
3rd Amie Roberts (YZ250F) – 132
Vets 35–44
1st Bradley Lauder – 139
2nd Sam Blenkinsop – 135
3rd Mike McDonald – 124
Vets 45+
1st Darren Capill (YZ450) – 150
2nd Kane Walmsley – 138
3rd Mitch Rowe – 125
