Suzuki one-two at Conondale MX
Motul Pirelli Suzuki's Cody Cooper wins first MX nationals Australian motocross Championship round
John Newman
Motul Pirelli Suzuki's Cody Cooper won his first MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship round of the 2013 season at Conondale in Queensland on Sunday, as team-mate Matt Moss finished runner-up in a one-two result for the team.
Cody Cooper
Cooper was outstanding in the slick and rutted conditions at Conondale, the sweeping hills playing into the double New Zealand Motocross Champion's hands throughout the round.
After taking five points for winning the Super Pole qualifying session, Cooper battled to sixth in moto one before taking control of moto two from the outset and winning his first overall of the season. It was his bonus points for qualifying first that sealed him the round win. The result boosts him to fourth in the standings at the halfway point, providing a solid platform to build from aboard the RM-Z450 in the championship's second half.
Cooper said:
"The day ended up good and to win my first Super Pole was a great feeling - it helped me win the day. In the first moto I threw my goggles off early, but I was happy with how I rode through the pack and we scored decent points.
I got the holeshot in the last one, got a good lead even though I started tightening up toward the end. I have been doing a lot of testing, so it's important I go back to New Zealand and start doing motos again during my training. I am really happy though and I have to say thanks to the team for helping me win this one."
Moss was also delighted with his second place result for the weekend, finishing just one point shy of Cooper overall as he continues to home-in on championship leader Todd Waters.
Matt Moss
After dominating regular qualifying with a time nearly three seconds ahead of the pack, Moss was forced to settle for the fifth gate selection after an incident during his Super Pole lap. A pair of second places in the motos now sees him just 25 points from the top spot in the championship.
Moss also claimed the $100 Suzuki Holeshot Award for taking the first holeshot of the round in the MX1 category aboard his Motul Pirelli Suzuki RM-Z450.
Moss said:
"I felt really good in practice and qualifying, then in Super Pole I crashed and that was a big factor in losing the overall. In the first race I rode really good apart from two more crashes that cost me, but I felt good overall.
In moto two I struggled at the start, had trouble getting going, but everything started clicking and I came home strong, so I was happy with that. I took points off Todd, so I was happy with that because the championship leader red plate is what we're aiming for."
Motul Pirelli Suzuki team manager Jay Foreman was pleased with the dominant performance of the team at Conondale, happy to see Cooper return to his best and also satisfied with Moss' ever-consistent effort challenging for the victory.
"We knew coming in that this track would suit Cody, so to see him turn his season around with the team's second straight win was a rewarding result," Foreman explained. "Matt was also incredibly strong today and he's performing exactly as we'd hoped at the beginning of the season. We will continue to work hard and look forward to the second half of the year."
The MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, will now take its annual mid-season break before resuming on July 14th at Appin in New South Wales.
MX1 Round Results:
1. Cody Cooper (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 66
2. Matt Moss (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 65
3. Billy Mackenzie 63
4. Todd Waters 63
5. Jake Moss (Campbell Mining Suzuki) 53
6. Lawson Bopping 49
7. Kirk Gibbs 47
8. Adam Monea 47
9. Daniel McCoy 45
10. Tye Simmonds 43
MX1 Championship Standings (after five of 10 rounds):
1. Todd Waters 332
2. Matt Moss (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 307
3. Billy Mackenzie 289
4. Cody Cooper (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 268
5. Lawson Bopping 266
6. Adam Monea 232
7. Tye Simmonds 232
8. Jake Moss (Campbell Mining Suzuki) 230
9. Kirk Gibbs 230
10. Daniel McCoy 209
Info from Team Suzuki Press Office - June 5
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