Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Cody Cooper admits he needs to step it up following a disappointing start to his Monster Energy MX Nationals campaign in Queensland on Sunday.

Cooper, an MX1 class winner in previous years, struggled with bad starts and physical exhaustion throughout the day, and the New Zealander was beaten by the rough and tough Conondale circuit.

Cooper concluded the weekend with a 6-12-7 scorecard, sealing him eighth position overall.

“Qualifying was good and I felt good, but in the first two motos I got bad starts,” said Cooper. “In the third one I gated out wider and it was much better, so I came out off the start in second.

“I drifted back to seventh though, just over-heated really, it was a tough race physically. I don’t have much to say really – I need to step it up and go better next time out.”

Cooper will be rejuvenated and looking to prove himself as a contender for the win at round two in Coonabarabran, NSW, 14-15 April.