Cooper's day, Moss trims Waters' lead

Suzuki rider Cody Cooper has eked out the narrowest of outright victories in the MX1 class at round five of the 2013 Australian Motocross Championship – aka the Monster Energy MX Nationals – in Conondale (Qld) on Sunday, June 2.

Cooper finished with 66pts across the two 30-minute (plus a lap) motos to complete proceedings ahead of teammate Matt Moss (65pts), Billy Mackenzie (Yamaha, 63pts), Todd Waters (KTM, 63pts) and Jake Moss (Suzuki, 53pts). Cooper’s haul also included a maximum 5pts for winning the Superpole shootout earlier in the day.

"The day ended up being a good one, and to win my first Super Pole was a good feeling - it helped me win the day," Cooper said. "In the first moto I threw my goggles off early, but I was happy with how I rode through the pack and we scored decent points.

"I got the holeshot in the last one, and then pulled a good lead even though I started tightening up toward the end. I have been doing a lot of testing, so it's important I go back to New Zealand and start doing motos again during my training. I am really happy though and I have to say thanks to the team for helping me win this one."

Waters now takes a healthy 25pt (332 to 307) championship lead into the winter break, with Matt Moss second ahead of Mackenzie (289pts), Cooper (268pts) and Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping (266pts). Moss trimmed Waters' lead by 2pts at Conondale.

Still not quite at full fitness after a head knock he suffered three weeks ago, Waters won the opening moto before a mistake in the second saw him fall, with Cooper claiming the spoils in that one.

In the MX2 category, Yamaha’s Luke Styke (pictured) won from Josh Cachia (Honda), with KTM’s Kale Makeham making it a diverse podium.

For full results and standings, visit www.mxnationals.com.au/results.