28 June 2010
RACE REPORT
2010 Australian National Motocross Championship (Round Six)
Wodonga (Vic)
27 June 2010
SUCCESS FOR SUZUKI AT WODONGA
Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki had its first taste of outright success this season in the premier Pro Open class with international star Cody Cooper dominating proceedings at the sixth round of the Australian National Motocross Championship at Wodonga.
New Zealand born and bred Cooper looked right at home in the chilly conditions and made a statement in qualifying when his Suzuki RM-Z450 was the quickest machine on the track.
After working hard on overcoming his indifferent starting form, Cooper again missed the start in the first moto.
From that point on, however, he showed his class to work his way back into contention from seventh position, eventually catching the flying Billy Mackenzie on the final lap to win narrowly by just 1.4 seconds.
In the second moto Cooper oozed class by grabbing the holeshot and never being headed. Clearly the fastest man on the track, Cooper showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals and eventually claimed the win by more than eight seconds.
The final moto was shortened to 15 minutes and, after missing the start, Cooper finished fourth.
Cooper’s brilliant form saw him come away with the round win and an excellent haul of 68 points.
That consolidated sixth place for Cooper in the series and he is well within striking distance of a top three finish.
“The last few weeks have been massive for me and the team,” Cooper said.
“I’ve been over here and we’ve been working so hard to get the bike right and getting me sorted and the entire team has done an amazing job.
“We made some changes to my program as well, and I’ll even make some more changes as a result of today which will be even more positive.
“I’m pumped to be up on the top step and certainly hope to keep it this way for the rest of the series.”
Pro Lites rising star Lawson Bopping worked hard, but couldn’t replicate his team-mate’s sizzling form.
Bopping qualified third fastest, but couldn’t come to terms with the concrete starting grid and was forced to fight his way through the field in all three motos.
Though showing glimpses of his speed, his best finish was fifth in the third and final moto and seventh position overall for the round.
Tied for sixth in the championship, Bopping finds himself more than 50 points adrift of a podium position and will have to dig deep to work his way back up the grid.
“Today was a terrific one for Cody and just reward for all the hard work he and the rest of the team have put in over recent weeks,” said team manager Jay Foreman.
“He’s been quick all year, but today he put it all together and showed just how good he and the Suzuki RM-Z450 are.
“There’s 100 points up for grabs at Moree in a couple of weeks and, if he can repeat today’s form, Cody will be right in contention.”
Round 6 2010 Australian Motocross Championship Results
Pro Open
1. Cody Cooper (Suzuki RM-Z450) 68
2. Billy Mackenzie 64
3. Jay Marmont 54
4.Cheyne Boyd 50
5. Tye Simmonds 47
6. Todd Waters 44
7. Daniel McCoy 39
8. Dean Ferris 35
9. Riley Graham 34
10. Lewis Woods 33
Pro Open Championship Standings
1. Jay Marmont 295
2. Billy Mackenzie 279
3. Tye Simmonds 275
4. Cheyne Boyd 264
5. Dean Ferris 258
6. Cody Cooper (Suzuki RM-Z450) 255
7. Todd Waters 230
8. Daniel McCoy 198
9. Lewis Woods 159
10. Beau Ralston 150
Pro Lites
1. PJ Larsen 75
2. Cody Mackie 58
3. Ryan Marmont 50
4. Ford Dale 50
5. Jason Dougan 47
6. Kirk Gibbs 46
7. Lawson Bopping (Suzuki RM-Z250) 41
8. Kade Mosig (Suzuki RM-Z250) 40
9. Brendan Harrison 36
10.Luke Styke 35
Pro Lites Championship Standings
1. PJ Larsen 357
2. Kirk Gibbs 273
3. Cody Mackie 271
4. Ryan Marmont 265
5. Ford Dale 226
6.Lawson Bopping (Suzuki RM-Z250) 219
7. Luke Styke 219
8. Michael Phillips 181
9. Kade Mosig (Suzuki RM-Z250) 177
10.Luke George 161
had its first taste of outright success this season in the premier Pro Open class with international star
Cody Cooper dominating proceedings at the sixth round of the Australian National Motocross Championship at Wodonga.
