Cody Cooper will make his first GP start in 10 years this weekend at Gaildorf.

New Zealander Cody Cooper is seeking redemption this weekend with Rockstar Energy Suzuki at German round of the Motocross World Championship at Gaildorf, after failing to qualify for a GP round a decade ago.

Cooper will embark on his first GP appearance after previously attempting to qualify for a world championship round 10 years ago. It will certainly be the 26-year-old’s first MX1 run.

The Kiwi has been in Belgium for almost two weeks and has been gaining valuable track time on the RM-Z450 ahead of his debut.

“The team is really good and I have been riding a lot since I have got here,” said Cooper. “The factory bike is much easier to ride and I am loving it. The RM-Z is lighter and I can carry more speed in the corners.”

Cooper said he’s not feeling pressure from the team, but has a few personal reasons that are motivating him heading into the weekend.

“I don’t have any pressure from the team in terms of results and I just want to get out there and ride as hard as I can,” he added.

“I want to get good starts and ‘redeem’ myself in Germany after not making the qualification-cut a good few years ago! I have not ridden at Gaildorf before but I watched a few videos and I think I’ll like that natural layout.”

Cooper finished eighth overall in the 2011 Australian Motocross Championship and won six motos and three podium results from the nine rounds.