Features 1 Nov 2011

Race Recap with Dan McCoy

MotoOnline reflects on Wollongong with DMC after his first ever Pro Open win.

A first win in the premier class of Australian Supercross has been a long time coming for Dan McCoy, the Motul Pirelli Suzuki team rider finally getting it done at WIN Stadium in Wollongong last Saturday night.

McCoy’s big win boosted him to the top of the Monster Energy Super X leader board after two of five rounds, a strong position to be in considering the tough conditions that have risen in recent weeks.

MotoOnline.com.au spoke to McCoy this afternoon to reflect on his win, speak about the future, plus his plans to keep this momentum going for his home round at Campbelltown this Saturday night.

McCoy says the 2012 model Motul Pirelli Suzuki RM-Z450 is the best bike he's ever ridden. Image: Rice Photography.

Dan McCoy says the 2012 model Motul Pirelli Suzuki RM-Z450 is the best bike he's ever ridden. Image: Rice Photography.

Well done on the result last weekend. Has it sunk in yet that you’re now one of the few guys who have won a Pro Open main event in Super X?

Yeah, it’s really taken a couple of days to sink in, but it feels real good and I’m super excited to get into these next three races to have a good shot at winning this championship.

You said your fifth place in the mud at Melbourne’s opener was a confidence booster for you, so did that help you stay positive when the rain came in Wollongong?

For sure. I obviously felt really good in the mud at Melbourne, but I was a little disappointed that I got fifth there because I felt like I could have ridden a little bit better. I was looking at the weather before Wollongong and I saw that it was going to rain – I had a bet that it was going to rain actually [laughs]. I was pumped.

During the race you led early then [Billy] Mackenzie came past, but he soon crashed out. From there you had [Lawson] Bopping and [Dan] Reardon both close in before making mistakes of their own. Did you know all that was going on, or just focusing on your own race?

I was just focused on the track and riding the best I could. I knew that somebody was going to be close by, not far behind me, but the closest moment was when Lawson jumped onto the tabletop, hit the side of me, and went down.

I honestly didn’t know how close Reardon was. When I got stuck on the tough block on the last lap and nearly crashed, but no one went past, I was super surprised. It just felt awesome, I suppose.

This weekend the series will head to your home round in Campbelltown. That’s going to be big for you to take the red plate into there for the first time…

Yeah, it is for sure. Home race, red plate – what more could I sort of ask for? Obviously that’s exciting, but I’m focused on what I have to do because I need to get results.

Wollongong was Dan McCoy's first ever Pro Open main event victory. Image: Rice Photography.

Wollongong was McCoy's first ever Pro Open main event victory. Image: Rice Photography.

It’s a short series, just five rounds. You’re in the box seat as the halfway point approaches. Can you win this championship?

Yeah, I definitely feel like I have some speed in the dry, so it just comes down to starts with these crazy formats. I’m definitely confident that I can do well and hopefully win this championship. It’s the best bike I’ve ever ridden and raced, so I have no reason not to be confident. I’ve done all the hard work to do the job.

Finally, lets speak about 2012. We know Todd Waters has signed for Suzuki on a 450. Do you know yet if you will you be back next year alongside him?

I’ve talked to Jay [Foreman] and we’d both like to make something happen. Obviously with them rushing in and signing Waters, I don’t really know where I stand. They’re telling me they are keen to do something, but if not then maybe something else will pop up. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.

Well congratulations, we’ll see you on Saturday.

Yeah, thanks. Should be good.

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