With the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals six-week mid-season break fast approaching its end, riders are preparing to return to race mode and see what they can do for the second half of the season.

In this edition of MotoOnline.com.au’s Rewind we’re taking a look back at Lawson Bopping’s breakthrough performance aboard his CDR Yamaha at last year’s Hervey Bay round which served as the first event back from the extended mid-season break.

For 2012 Bopping used the lengthly break to his advantage as he made his way to Southern California where he could ride the best tracks alongside some of the best riders in the world.

“Last year straight after Murray Bridge we had the six-week break and I went straight to America with my girlfriend Rach and my buddy Andrew Wensing,” said Bopping.

“That was my first time to California and I got a bike through Yamaha and just stayed there for five weeks. I took some parts over, did some riding, I rode all of those tracks in California.”

Bopping returned to Australia feeling fresh and fast as he hit the sandy Hervey Bay circuit with a 1-2-1 result to clinch his first overall win of his MX1 career.

“It was really good, I rode with the top guys over there and then I came back probably a week before Hervey Bay and I won [laughs]. It felt like it was more of a low pressure race after riding in the states with all of those quick guys.

“I just rode well all day, I got good starts and I went 1-2-1 for first overall. It was a really great round, obviously the best round I had last year.”

The New South Wales native chose to stay in Australia for his 2013 mid-season break having already made a pre-season trip to the states. But Bopping stuck to his usual routine and feels solid on the bike heading into this weekend’s round six at Appin.

“This year in the six-week break I didn’t get away to the states like last year, but I went at the start of the year,” he added. “I just stayed at home and rode at a few buddies and at home, I did a club day, I didn’t do too much really – I just stayed at home and kept training.

“We’ll see how we go at Appin, I feel pretty good on the bike at the moment so we’ll just have to wait and see on the weekend.”