Team Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Daniel McCoy has admitted that the switch to the Pro Open class for Monster Energy Super X salvaged what was otherwise a frustrating year in 2011.

McCoy failed to meet his own expectations in his return to the Lites class with Suzuki during the MX Nationals, but a solid third in the Super X series made this year a memorable one overall.

The 27-year-old entered Ipswich’s final round within title contention, however a sixth place finish was the end result after he suffered from a bad start in the traditional 20-lap main.

Despite being disappointed with the result after battling for the title and leading during the middle stages, McCoy gave full credit to the Motul Pirelli Suzuki squad after a competitive year together.

“To finish third in the series is a real credit to the Motul Pirelli Suzuki team and the RM-Z450,” McCoy said. “I had a bad start in the main event, which was disappointing after I won my heat race.

“To come from 14th to sixth wasn’t bad, but it definitely wasn’t what we needed if I was going to challenge for the championship. Third is a good result though overall and it’s been a great season for me.

“The switch to the Open was a good one for me, because as soon as I got on the Suzuki I knew it was right for me. I could focus on my training and practice, which really helped us throughout the season.”

McCoy won the Toowoomba round of the MX Nationals in the Lites, as well as the Wollongong round of Super X in the Open class.