Image: Andy McGechan (BikesportNZ.com).

New Zealand has announced its three rider team set to take part in the 2016 Motocross of Nations event at Maggiora in Italy on 24-25 September.

Heading up the squad will be former Motul MX Nationals contender and current New Zealand MX1 champion, Cody Cooper. 2016 will mark the veteran’s ninth showing at the iconic event.

Next up is current New Zealand MX2 champion and Motul MX Nationals MX2 contender, Hamish Harwood, who will ride alongside Cooper in his second Motocross of Nations appearance after making his event debut in 2014.

Rounding out the squad and making his Motocross of Nations debut will be Kiwi youngster Josiah Natzke. Natzke will enter the event off the back of two seasons contesting the European 125cc championship where he scored a runner-up series finish in 2015.

One notable name left off the 2016 New Zealand rider roster is Ben Townley. Following an injury-plagued return season to the FIM Motocross World Championship, the experienced Kiwi star is set to miss this year’s event.