Tauranga motocross star Levi Townley will spearhead a four-rider New Zealand team aiming for world titles at the FIM Junior Motocross World Championships in the Czech Republic this weekend.

The championships, regarded as the pinnacle event for junior motocross riders, will be held in Jinin on July 4-5, attracting some of the sport’s most promising young competitors from around the globe, a media release about the event said.

Sixteen-year-old Townley will contest the JMX125 class after arriving in strong form from the European Motocross Championship circuit.

He will be joined by younger brother Jaggar, 14, with Nixon Coppins, 13, and Cambridge rider Nico Verhoeven, 13, in the JMX85 category.

Levi Townley already has a world title to his name, becoming the first New Zealander to win the JMX85 Junior Motocross World Championship in 2024. In the same year, Verhoeven finished runner-up in the JMX65 class.

Townley said experience from his previous appearance at the event would help him this weekend.

“This is my second World Juniors. I have a bit more experience to lean on, so I’m happy about that. I’m just going to ride like I normally do and ride to my potential.”

The Tauranga teenager has been competing against elite opposition throughout Europe and recently finished fifth overall in the EMX125 class at the MXGP of France before claiming second place at the MXGP of Latvia.

“It is cool to have some Kiwis over here and to have my brother on the team. It’s always good to have some friends and family over supporting, and nice to have some banter with the Kiwis.”

Nixon Coppins, 13, has been hard at work training and racing in the Northern Hemisphere in preparation to represent New Zealand at the Junior Motocross World Championship to be held in Jinin, Czech Republic, this weekend. Photo / MNZ, Kai Brake

Coppins and the Townley brothers have based themselves in Europe to prepare for the championship by racing and training against top international riders.

“I am ready to go and I’m excited,” Coppins said.

“I love New Zealand and love being able to represent the country. I know it won’t be an easy race, but I am ready to fight.”

Verhoeven has also spent recent weeks training in Europe before his championship campaign. The Waikato rider heads into the event after winning the 11-12 Years 85cc title at the 2026 New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships.

“We’re here in Holland, and I’ve been here for a couple of weeks training and racing now,” Verhoeven said.

“You train your whole life for the biggest event you can do, and now we’re over here prepping for that.”

The challenge facing the young riders is significant, with 94 competitors entered in the JMX85 class and 100 in JMX125.

Jaggar Townley said he was looking forward to competing alongside his older brother.

“It’s awesome to have my brother alongside me at the races for advice. I’m really excited for the race – I just want to do as well as I can.”

Former world-class riders Ben Townley and Josh Coppins are supporting the New Zealand contingent and believe the experience will be invaluable for the athletes’ development.

“This is certainly a big event on the calendar in Europe,” Ben Townley said.

“There’s a lot of events for us throughout the season, but this one has the biggest accolades. Being a one-weekend event, there’s a little bit more pressure that is connected to that.

“But overall, it’s just another race for the boys to progress.”

Practice and qualifying will take place on Saturday, with the world championship races scheduled for Sunday.