New Zealand MX1 Champion Cody Cooper won't be on the Kiwi team at the MXoN in 2011. Image: Andy McGechan/BikesportNZ.com.

Motorcycling New Zealand will send a development team to the Motocross of Nations in France next month, despite Cody Cooper being called upon by Rockstar Energy Suzuki to contest the final World Motocross rounds in the lead-up to the event.

Both Cooper and fellow MX Nationals regular Michael Phillips will sit out the MXoN in favour of a development-type team, featuring Joel Doeksen (MX1), John Phillips (MX2) and Kieran Scheele (MX3).

Kayne Lamont will be the team’s reserve rider, managed by Tony Cooksley, according to the announcement.

“Due to International riders Josh Coppins and Ben Townley being unavailable because of injuries, Motorcycling New Zealand needed to review the makeup of its team,” a released from MNZ stated.

“New Zealand has several talented young riders currently based in Europe and the UK all of whom are under 20 years of age, so MNZ’s Motocross Commission has decided to take this opportunity and have named a team which will fulfill a development role for the sport in New Zealand.”

The MXoN will take place on 17-18 September in Saint Jean d’Angely in France.