The first round of the 2025 Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championship could not have gone much better for the Altherm JCR Yamaha team, with its trio of riders either topping their classes, or finishing first equal on points.

In the MX1 and MX125 categories Maximus Purvis (YZ450) and teenage sensation Levi Townley (YZ125) absolutely dominated, winning all three motos at Tauranga’s Tect Park on Saturday.

For Mangakino’s Purvis, the 1-1-1 results were a clear message to his top-tier class rivals, that he is the man to chase this season. He said the championship’s opener well and truly went his way.

“It was a good first round for me. I felt good on the bike all day, had some good starts and won all my races. I can’t wait for the second round.”

Altherm JCR Yamaha’s MX125 rider Levi Townley holeshot and won all three motos at the 2025 New Zealand Motocross Championship’s opening round at Tauranga’s Tect Park on Saturday. Photo/CD Photography.

Altherm JCR Yamaha Team Manager Josh Coppins was “happy for his performance and his effort.”

“In terms of Maximus, he just did what Maximus does. He has certainly got some talent and is riding really well. He was able to win relatively easily.”

That was no mean feat considering Coppins rated the Tect Park track as possessing “world level toughness, in terms of how rough and gnarly it got.”

“It was handled well by our guys. Levi Townley dominated the MX125cc class with three holeshots and three wins. He was just working on his racecraft building up to leaving for Europe next Monday following this Saturday’s second round in Rotorua.”

Coppins adds that he is looking forward to following the talented youngster’s progress.

“Levi is elevating to a new level each time I see him and the growth and the trajectory is huge. It’s really cool to watch and to witness.”

Townley said it was a “very successful day” and he relished his home track’s conditions.

“It was very technical which helped me a lot. I like it when it is hard and technical. I won all three races, got the overall and the points lead going into round two in Rotorua this weekend. I’d like to thank Altherm JCR Yamaha, Josh [Coppins] and my mechanic Luke for all the help.”

Oparau’s James Scott had been unwell for two weeks preceding this event, so it was always going to be an uphill battle to come out swinging as he began the defence of his 2024 MX2 title. He managed to limit the damage and his 3-1-3 scoresheet saw him and Madoc Dixon finish up equal on top of the MX2 class with 65 points each.”

“I ended up coming out tied on points heading into the second round but felt like the day could’ve gone a lot better for me. I had good speed but couldn’t utilise it because of the fatigue I was getting in the motos. Hopefully I’ll be better for Rotorua. I was really happy with my bike and the whole set up and I’m excited for the rest of the series,” Scott said.

It was a big weekend all-round for the Altherm JCR Yamaha team, supporting two riders from Yamaha Japan, along with the Yamaha development riders and bLUcRU customers.

Coppins extended his thanks to all the spectators and fans that came along and supported the team, “especially those supporting Levi and the Townley family at their local race before they depart for Europe after this weekend in Rotorua.”

“We are looking forward to trying to be a little bit better for round two and move forward into the halfway mark of the championship,” Coppins said

NZMX CHAMPIONSHIP (ROUND ONE) RESULTS:

MX1

1st Maximus Purvis (YZ450) - 75

2nd Josiah Natzke - 66

3rd Hamish Harwood - 58

MX2

1st Madoc Dixon - 65

2nd James Scott (YZ250F) - 65

3rd Cobie Bourke - 58

12th Junya Tanaka (YZ250F) - 28

13th Souya Nakajima (YZ250F) - 23

19th Wills Harvey (YZ250F) - 7

MX125

1st Levi Townley (YZ125) - 75 

2nd Hayden Draper - 66

3rd Phoenix Van Dusschoten - 58

4th Jack Ellingham (YZ125) - 50

Women’s 

1st Taylah McCutcheon - 75

2nd Karaitiana Horne - 66

3rd Mikayla Griffiths - 58

5th Amie Roberts - 46

MX3 

1st Travis Taylor – 75

2nd Lucas Robinson – 64

3rd Seton Head – 63

2024/25 ALTHERM JCR YAMAHA CONTRACTED RACING CALENDAR

26th & 27th October 2024 – MX Fest (Taupo)

28th & 29th December 2024 – Summercross (Whakatane)
25th & 26th January 2025 – Woodville GP (Woodville)
15th February 2025 – R1 NZMX Nationals (Tauranga)

22nd February 2025 – R2 NZMX Nationals (Rotorua)

8th March 2025 – R3 NZMX Nationals (Pukekohe)

15th March 2025 – R4 NZMX Nationals (Rotorua)

2024/25 Altherm JCR Yamaha Activations Calendar:

18th to 20th October 2024 – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Rotorua)

22nd to 24th November 2024 – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Waikato)

8th December 2024 – Yamaha Women’s Off-Road Ride Day (Rotorua)

17th to 19th January 2025 – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Hauturu, Waikato)

31st January to 2nd February 2025 – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Waimumu, Southland)

21st to 23rd March 2025  – bLUcRU Kids Camp (Rainbow Mountain, Rotorua)