Marmont backs up in Oz MX

Defending triple champion Jay Marmont has claimed his second Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals round win in succession in Wodonga (Vic) on Sunday, July 3.

In a day where the rain fell in the latter stages of the afternoon, Marmont continued his fight back in the premier Pro Open category, the 28-year-old from Wollongong scoring 1-3-7-1 results in the day’s four motos.

The win placed Marmont back into title contention after round seven of nine -- still fourth outright, but now just 32pts behind leader Dean Ferris (Monster Energy Kawasaki).

“That’s what I wanted to do, today’s result went exactly to the game plan,” Marmont said. “I was hoping to carry over the momentum from the last round and I was able to do that.

“I’m not usually one to do my best in the first moto, but today I was able to win it and even shocked myself. We managed to fight hard even when it started raining during the final motos and I’m just really happy for the CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha team. This championship’s not over yet.”

The weekend went down to the wire between Marmont and last year’s Wodonga winner Cody Cooper (Rockstar Motul Suzuki), however a fall in the final moto dashed the New Zealander’s hopes of a second overall this season. Cooper scored 2-2-1-9 finishes.

“My arms tightened up and I was suffering a bit of arm-pump, but the mistake cost me and I wasn’t really certain where I had to finish to win the overall in that final moto,” Cooper said. “I have to thank Rockstar Motul Suzuki though, the whole team worked really hard. This is a track that I seem to do well at, so it’s nice to finish on the podium overall again.”

Marmont’s teammate Josh Coppins, a former world No. 2, rounded out the podium for the second weekend in a row, claiming third overall with 4-1-6-2 finishes.

The victory was Marmont’s by 3pts over Cooper, while Coppins was just 1pt further in arrears.

Another Kiwi in Michael Phillips (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) finished fourth for the round after featuring up front throughout the proceedings, while fifth was enough for 20-year-old Aussie talent Ferris to retain the championship lead.

“I did get one good moto in today and I felt like I was riding strong, so we’ll come back stronger next time,” Ferris said. “It feels good to keep that red plate as the title leader so that’s what we need to keep doing.”

Ferris now heads the series by 14pts from Coppins, while Ferris’ Scottish Monster Energy Kawasaki team-mate Billy Mackenzie is another 2pts back in third. Mackenzie finished sixth at Wodonga.

In the Motul Pro Lites it was title leader Matt Moss who used a consistent run of 3-3-2-2 results to return to the winner’s circle for his fourth win in seven attempts this year.

JDR Motorex KTM’s Moss stretched his championship advantage to 58pts despite not winning a race in Wodonga, while Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yoshimura Yamaha) was second with 5-7-1-1 results.

“It feels really good to win and consistency is so important in this championship,” Moss explained. “My starts weren’t so great today and I did hurt my shoulder in moto two. The bike was working awesome though and those two second places to finish the weekend were really good. Extending my series lead was the plan and we were able to do that.”

American Phil Nicoletti completed the podium for Monster Energy Kawasaki, his 1-1-11-4 finishes marking a continuation of his recent form at the front of the field.

Berry Sweet Strawberries/Lucas Oil Honda Racing’s Kade Mosig was fourth overall, with Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s Daniel McCoy rounded out the top five.

In the Pirelli Under 19s development category, Wagga Wagga (NSW) rider Errol Willis rode his Raceline Pirelli Suzuki into the winner’s circle to extend his title lead to a demanding 76pt margin.

Willis went 1-1-2-3 for the day in the four motos, while another Suzuki rider in Sam Martin was runner-up, the Byrners Suzuki rider scoring 4-6-1-1 results to take second today, dominated the afternoon.

Completing the Under 19s podium was Shaun Redhead (GYTR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) with 5-3-3-2 scores.

Round eight of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be contested in Moree (NSW) on Sunday, July 24. Practice and qualifying will commence at 8:30am with the official opening ceremonies taking place at approximately 10:30am.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for more information.

Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open
1. Jay Marmont (CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) 84
2. Cody Cooper (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) 81
3. Josh Coppins (CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) 80
4. Michael Phillips (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) 67
5. Dean Ferris (Monster Energy Kawasaki) 62
6. Billy Mackenzie (Monster Energy Kawasaki) 59
7. Todd Waters (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) 59
8. Cheyne Boyd (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) 52
9. Lawson Bopping (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki) 52
10. Louis Calvin (Herb Watson Racing KTM) 41

Motul Pro Lites
1. Matt Moss (JDR Motorex KTM) 84
2. Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yoshimura Yamaha) 80
3. Phil Nicoletti (Monster Energy Kawasaki) 78
4. Kade Mosig (Berry Sweet Strawberries/Lucas Oil Honda) 69
5. Daniel McCoy (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) 65
6. Justin McDonald     (Team 07 Axis Motorsports Honda) 64
7. Brenden Harrison (JDR Motorex KTM) 63
8. Cody Mackie (Team 07 Axis Motorsports Honda) 56
9. Luke Styke (Yamaha) 51
10. Keiron Hall (Team 07 Axis Motorsports Honda) 48

Championship Standings (after seven of nine rounds):
Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open
1. Dean Ferris 523
2. Josh Coppins 509
3. Billy Mackenzie 507
4. Jay Marmont 491
5. Cheyne Boyd 436
6. Michael Phillips 415
7. Lawson Bopping 375
8. Cody Cooper 344
9. Louis Calvin 268
10. Daniel Reardon 226

Motul Pro Lites
1. Matt Moss 503
2. Kirk Gibbs 445
3. Phil Nicoletti 417
4. Daniel McCoy 410
5. Brenden Harrison 407
6. Justin McDonald 366
7. Kade Mosig 361
8. Josh Cachia 358
9. Cody Mackie 350
10. Luke Styke 324

Pirelli Under 19s
1. Errol Willis 556
2. Luke Arbon 480
3. Shaun Redhead 444
4. Dylan Peterson 385
5. Jake Emanuelli 359
6. Kyle McKeddie 345
7. Jay Wilson 326
8. Sam Martin 243
9. Kale Makeham 235
10. Dan Banks 226