Image: Andy McGechan (BikesportNZ.com).

Altherm JCR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris enjoyed a debut win at the weekend’s New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville, in his first race on the YZ450F.

Ferris became the 28th different rider to win the main trophy at the weekend’s 55th running of the iconic standalone event, winning Sunday’s feature race by just a few a bike-lengths from New Zealand MX1 Champion Cody Cooper.

It sets up Ferris nicely for his first major hit-out of the summer when he tackles the MX1 class in the four-round New Zealand Motocross Championships series that kicks off at Pleasant Point, near Timaru, next weekend.

“I had only ever heard of this event once before coming here and that was because of that crazy river race,” Ferris said. “Now I realise what a big deal it is.

“It’s great to start the year too by shaking out the cobwebs at such a big race as this. It’s great to begin my build-up for the New Zealand and Australian nationals coming up.

“It’s fantastic to be back on Yamaha and I have really appreciated all the guidance I have had from Josh Coppins. It’s awesome to work with Josh.

“We’ve done a lot of work together and that will continue at his Motueka base this week. I used to race against Josh and I have a lot of respect for him. I’m not at my peak yet – I’m just warming up.”

Ferris put the distinctive anniversary-yellow Yamaha YZ450F on the podium in every race he started on Sunday, although Cooper did win the MX1 class overall as his 1-2-2 scorecard was enough to edge out Ferris (2-1-3) by four points.