Suzuki blitzes MX Nationals

A treacherous fifth round of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals today in saw Suzuki teamsters Cody Cooper and Daniel McCoy victorious in the Pro Open and Pro Lites classes.

Cooper finished with 1-2-1-3 results at Toowoomba’s Echo Valley Raceway (Qld), after heavy rain fell on the undulating circuit the night before.

“It’s really good to win, especially after the bad luck I’ve had,” Cooper said. “Today was tough since I hadn’t ridden a lot recently, but I had good balance and that was good. The track was hard and really got more difficult as the day went on, but I’m just happy to win.”

Cooper was a title contender until suffering a rib and lung injury at round two, after which he was forced to watch round three from the sidelines.

Finishing behind Cooper and missing out on the overall by just 4pts was Scottish rider Billy Mackenzie, taking 4-1-3-1 results for the round. He edged out his Kawasaki team-mate Dean Ferris, who retained the championship lead with 2-4-4-2 finishes.

“This is my fourth podium in a row, so I’m stoked,” Ferris explained. “We have the points lead and that’s the main thing, but I’m looking to get a win. I’ve been on the podium four times in a row, so a win is what I’m looking for now, that’s for sure.”

Completing the top five were Honda’s Cheyne Boyd and Yamaha’s former world No. 2 Josh Coppins, whose team-mate and defending triple champion Jay Marmont was sixth.

Ferris now leads the series by 9pts from Mackenzie, with Coppins a further 20 in arrears for after five of nine rounds.

The Pro Lites category was clinched by McCoy, his first since returning to the class this season. McCoy’s consistency -- 2-3-2 results – got the job done, with one less moto than usual due to the wet track conditions.

McCoy, who turned 27 this week, now sits third in the series and just 52pts off series leader Matt Moss (KTM), who was a disastrous 16th overall after crashing in moto two and sitting out the third with pain from a recent shoulder injury.

“It’s been a good day for the team and to come away with the win,” McCoy beamed. “We want to keep moving forward from here, there are still lots of races to go. My starts are getting a lot better so we’ll keep chasing the championship – it’s definitely not over.”

Second overall was Jake Moss (Yamaha) ahead of winner Josh Cachia (KTM).

Cachia edged out American Phil Nicoletti, with the Kawasaki rider’s DNF in the opening leg dashed his hopes for the overall.

Former 85cc world champion Jay Wilson captured his first ever victory in the Under 19s category, a remarkable result for the talented 16-year-old rookie.

Wilson was at his consistent best despite the difficult conditions, finishing with 1-3-3 results in the reduced format contested for the round. That handed him the overall by 3pts from current series leader Errol Willis (Suzuki).

Round six of the championship will take place at Coonabarabran (NSW) on Sunday, June 19. 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 on the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals.

Pro Open
1. Cody Cooper (Suzuki) 92
2. Billy Mackenzie (Kawasaki) 88
3. Dean Ferris (Kawasaki) 80
4. Cheyne Boyd (Honda) 73
5. Josh Coppins (Yamaha) 60
6. Jay Marmont (Yamaha) 59
7. Michael Phillips (Honda) 56
8. Matthew Phillips (Yamaha) 51
9. Louis Calvin (KTM) 37
10. Beau Ralston (Yamaha) 37

Pro Lites
1. Daniel McCoy (Suzuki) 64
2. Jake Moss (Yamaha) 59
3. Josh Cachia (KTM) 51
4. Phil Nicoletti (Kawasaki) 47
5. Luke Styke (Yamaha) 49
6. Brenden Harrison (KTM) 44
7. Kade Mosig (Honda) 42
8. Alex Morris (Kawasaki) 36
9. Keiron Hall (Honda) 32
10. Justin McDonald (Honda) 31

Under 19s
1. Jay Wilson (KTM) 65
2. Errol Willis (Suzuki) 62
3. Kyle McKeddie (Kawasaki) 56
4. Shaun Redhead (Yamaha) 54
5. Kale Makeham (Suzuki) 45
6. Brad Skoric (Kawasaki) 45
7. Luke Arbon (Yamaha) 40
8. Sam Martin (Suzuki) 39
9. Ben George (Yamaha) 35
10. Dan Banks (KTM) 33

Pro Open
1. Dean Ferris 379
2. Billy Mackenzie 370
3. Josh Coppins 350
4. Cheyne Boyd 328
5. Jay Marmont 324
6. Michael Phillips 291
7. Lawson Bopping 251
8. Cody Cooper 213
9. Ryan Marmont 206
10. Louis Calvin 193

Pro Lites
1. Matt Moss 347
2. Kirk Gibbs 320
3. Daniel McCoy 295
4. Brenden Harrison 283
5. Josh Cachia 266
6. Phil Nicoletti 244
7. Keiron Hall 244
8. Cody Mackie 238
9. Justin McDonald 235
10. Luke Styke 230

Under 19s
1. Errol Willis 407
2. Luke Arbon 356
3. Shaun Redhead 307
4. Dylan Peterson 272
5. Jake Emanuelli 249
6. Kyle McKeddie 241
7. Jay Wilson 208
8. Kale Makeham 159
9. Dylan Long 159
10. Jacob Mcleod 153