The competition is heating up as Honda Red Riders reach the mid point of the 2009 Demon Energy NZ Motocross Championship. The third round took place under the scorchin sun at Patetonga MX track on Sunday, which was debuting on the Nationals circuit for the first time.

While there was some scepticism and concerns raised about the state of the track, the club can hold their heads up high as for their first effort it was fine! Fast but fine.

The racing was spectacular in all classes, with a little drama throughout the entire day.

In MX 1 Christchurch's Justin McDonald aboard the Honda CRF450R9, did just what he needed to do staying with Coopers renewed efforts to win. McDonald got second overall for the day with 2-2-3 moto scores, retaining a watchful smile on the team leader's face Mr King helping the red rider keep cool on and on the podium. Cody Cooper clearly went to win and was smooth and aggressive and achieved his goal taking victories to claw back some margin from Justin's deserved lead at the top of the championship. Both riders now take the battle to the finish at New Plymouth next week.

MX 2 from the drop of the gate, Honda showed its dominance winning all 3 with Broxholme and Phillips on the CRF250R9. Broxy winning Moto 1 sporting the red/white graphics, and Michael Phillips winning the other two motos as a black/red blur of precision riding.

Broxy was on a surge weekend, focused on the ride and with a win in the moto 1 and a podium in moto 2, going into the 3rd moto the two Honda riders were set to race for the overall for the day. But, half way through the race the Honda 1-2 was spoiled by Scott Columb who, already on probation for his riding in Rotorua, again took a desperate, foolhardy, reckless and damaging dive up the inside of Broxy, who was already on the inside line of the fast 90 degree left hander at the end of the main straight, using the CRF250R9 as an artificial burm, he sent Broxy over the bars. While Columb rode on after Phillips who was 7 seconds off in the distance, the carnage left Broxy sprawled under his bike in pain, limping aided off the track. Columb went onto finish 2nd under purple protest, Phillips rightly won the moto and finished the day with the Overall Win on scores of 4-1-1. But Broxy was robbed and had to pin hopes on the protest against Columb, which in the end the steward ruled against, to the amazement of the majority of the witnesses in the large crowds, yet again giving a reprieve to the probationary Columb to fight yet another day.

Peter Broxholme (CRF250R9) was on good form and was fair and courageous at Rotorua to leave MNZ to enforce and police the probation judgement, but left Patetonga very disheartened.

Overall Honda riders retain positions leading both championships, much to the enjoyment of big crowds this season.

"It was an exciting days racing for Team Honda, with Broxy taking the win in the first MX2 race and would have the overall for the day, if the incident with Scott Columb hadn't happened," said Team Manager Shayne King.

"It is great to have the lead in the two classes going into the last round" he added.

The fourth and final round of the Demon Energy NZ Motocross is to be held Saturday 14 November in New Plymouth.

Provisional Results:

Round three

2009 Demon Energy NZ MX Champs.

Patetonga

November 9, 2009

MX1:

Race One:

Cody Cooper (Mt Maunganui) Suzuki, 1; Justin McDonald (Christchurch) Honda, 2; Brad Groombridge (Hawera) Suzuki, 3

Race Two:

Cooper 1; McDonald, 2; Groombridge, 3

Race Three:

Cooper 1; Mason Phillips (Te Puke) Kawasaki, 2; McDonald, 3

MX2:

Race One:

Peter Broxholme (Mt Maunganui) Honda, 1; Nick Saunders (Taupo) Kawasaki, 2; Scott Columb (Queenstown) Suzuki, 3; Michael Phillips (Rotorua) Honda, 4

Race Two:

Phillips, 1; Columb, 2; Broxholme, 3

Race Three:

Phillips, 1; Columb, 2; Saunders, 3

Media Contact: Rebecca Barbarich, Marketing Coordinator

Email: rebecca.b@bwhonda.co.nz

Ph: 09 571 0964