Bopping's Aussie MX breakthrough

Yamaha rider Lawson Bopping captured his first ever victory in the Monster Energy MX Nationals at Hervey Bay (Qld) on July 1, as the battle for MX1 honours in 2012 becomes a four-rider affair with just four rounds remaining.

The second half of the season started with a bang on a glorious day in the Sunshine State, as two of Australia’s most talented rising stars battled it out for the overall win. Bopping was awarded the victory after a moto three win, holding off charging Suzuki Todd Waters.

Earlier in the day, Bopping won the opening moto in another stellar performance, before finishing second in moto two, which was won by Waters’ teammate Cody Cooper.

“I’m stoked with 1-2-1 finishes and it was almost a perfect day for me,” Bopping said. “My team has worked so hard and the time I spent in America during the mid-season break has really paid off.

“We’ll see what we can do from here, but so far, so good and I’m feeling good about where we are at in the championship. CDR Yamaha is definitely going really well this year, so it’s awesome to get a win for them.”

Waters finished second overall and now sits just 12pts behind championship leader Josh Coppins, who was fourth overall at Hervey Bay after a round of mixed results for CDR Yamaha.

“It was a great day, the track got really tricky out there and I have to hand it to Lawson,” Waters commented. “The whole team has worked hard during the break, we made a few changes, and I’ve been training hard. Now I can’t wait to get to Horsham and see what we can do there.”

Completing the overall podium was Honda’s Brad Anderson after a consistent effort. Anderson and Bopping are now tied for third in the championship standings.

“I’m happy to be on the podium, third overall is really good and it’s a positive way to start the season’s second half,” Anderson reflected. “I haven’t raced at Horsham before, but I look forward to it and it will be another new experience for me.”

In fifth overall for the round was Dan Reardon, who had his best result this year for KTM.

Queensland-based Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing claimed a victorious 1-2 finish in the MX2 category at Hervey Bay, with series leader Luke Styke winning ahead of teammate Kirk Gibbs.

Styke won the opening two motos, before finishing fourth in the final moto to secure the overall. The result sees Styke build a 46pt lead in the championship after six of 10 rounds.

The final moto win at went to Josh Cachia (KTM), but he was forced to settle for eighth overall after suffering a DNF in the opening moto.

The Pirelli MXD class was taken out by Kiwi Kayne Lamont, marking his third round win in succession.

The Australian Motocross Championship will continue in Horsham (Vic) on July 15.

MX2
1. Luke Styke 68
2. Kirk Gibbs 55
3. Ford Dale 54
4. Kade Mosig 50
5. Adam Monea 49
6. Scott Columb  47
7. Cheyne Boyd 39
8. Josh Cachia 38
9. Lewis Woods 38
10. Luke Arbon 32

MXD
1. Kayne Lamont 67
2. Kale Makeham 60
3. Joel Milesevic 54
4. Jay Wilson 48
5. Wade Hunter 45
6. Dylan Long 39
7. Sam Martin 37
8. Ben George 34
9. Nicklas Scott 33
10. Mitch Norris 28

MX1 Standings (after six of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 352
2. Todd Waters 340
3. Brad Anderson 327
4. Lawson Bopping 327
5. Cody Cooper 269
6. Tye Simmonds 234
7. Jake Moss 210
8. Jay Marmont 207
9. Daniel Reardon 196
10. Daniel McCoy 189

MX2 standings (after six of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 374
2. Ford Dale 328
3. Cheyne Boyd 297
4. Josh Cachia 296
5. Kirk Gibbs 284
6. Kade Mosig 283
7. Adam Monea 264
8. Justin McDonald 224
9. Scott Columb 215
10. Lewis Woods 211

MXD standings (after five of 9 rounds):
1. Kayne Lamont 284
2. Dylan Long 265
3. Sam Martin 241
4. Dylan Leary 234
5. Kale Makeham 231
6. Joel Milesevic 230
7. Jay Wilson 225
8. Mitch Norris 151
9. Jarrad Davis 128
10. Wade Hunter 126