Features 29 Apr 2012

Qualifying Report: 2012 MX Nationals Rd3 Wonthaggi

Internationals back on top as Cooper leads the way early on in Victoria for the Wonthaggi round.

The internationals have again set the pace in the opening practice session at round three of the Monster Energy MX Nationals, with New Zealand’s Cody Cooper heading the charts at Wonthaggi in Victoria.

Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Cooper clocked a scorching 1:48.6 despite the track gaining bumps throughout practice, leading countryman Josh Coppins (CDR Yamaha) and British champion Brad Anderson (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing).

Cooper was fast from the outset in the premier MX1 class, dominating free practice and the separate qualifying session later in the afternoon.

Top Australian was CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping in fourth, narrowly ahead of fellow young gun Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki). Defending four-time champion Jay Marmont was a comfortable sixth (Monster Energy Kawasaki).

Motul Pirelli Suzuki's Cody Cooper was quickest on Saturday at Wonthaggi. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

The MX2 class was led by Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Kirk Gibbs, almost a second faster than Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale with a 1:49.9 – the lone rider under the 1:50 bracket.

Victorian locals Adam Monea (Team Zero Seven Motorsport Suzuki) and Cheyne Boyd (DPH Honda) were third and fourth respectively, edging out series red plate holder Luke Styke (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing).

Kiwi Kayne Lamont rode his KTM to the quickest time in MXD, ahead of series leader Dylan Long and Sam Martin.

MotoOnline.com.au will be live on Twitter (www.twitter.com/motoonline) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/motoonline) all day long on Sunday race day.

Kirk Gibbs topped the MX2 time sheets at round three in Victoria. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Three – Wonthaggi, VIC

MX1 Top 10:
1. Cody Cooper 1:48.6
2. Josh Coppins 1:48.7
3. Brad Anderson 1:49.6
4. Lawson Bopping 1:50.1
5. Todd Waters 1:50.4
6. Jay Marmont 1:50.6
7. Jake Moss 1:51.2
8. Tye Simmonds 1:51.7
9. Daniel Reardon 1:52.5
10. Daniel McCoy 1:52.5

MX2 Top 10:
1. Kirk Gibbs 1:49.9
2. Ford Dale 1:50.8
3. Adam Monea 1:51.1
4. Cheyne Boyd 1:51.2
5. Luke Styke 1:51.5
6. Josh Cachia 1:51.6
7. Scott Columb 1:52.2
8. Nick Murray 1:52.6
9. Kade Mosig 1:52.6
10. Errol Willis 1:53.1

MXD Top 10 (start list):
1. Kayne Lamont
2. Dylan Long
3. Sam Martin
4. Joel Milesevic
5. Dylan Leary
6. John Phillips
7. Wade Hunter
8. Kale Makeham
9. Jay Wilson
10. Mitch Norris

Full results available at www.mxnationals.com/results.

Recent