Image: Andy McGechan (BikesportNZ).

Motorcycling New Zealand has announced its three-man squad for the prestigious Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) event at Matterley Basin, United Kingdom, on 1 October.

Multi-time New Zealand motocross champion Cody Cooper (Honda Racing) will head up the team in MX1, alongside youthful talent Josiah Natzke (KTM) in MX2 and Rhys Carter (Kawasaki) in MX3.

Cooper brings a wealth of international experience to the team, representing New Zealand at the MXoN on several occasions while also taking on his own overseas racing endeavours.

Despite his youth, Natzke also has significant international experience as s regular on the European Motocross Championship calendar for a number of years, plus he was a member of the 2016 New Zealand MXoN team.

Carter rounds a very capable team for 2017, and along with his teammates, he’s also raced the event previously in 2013.

Team New Zealand was 17th overall at the 2016 edition, while its last podium at the event was in 2006 at the Matterley Basin venue with a squad consisting of Josh Coppins, Cooper and Ben Townley.