Coppins leads Monster Energy MX Nationals field into Wonthaggi

New Zealand’s former world number two Josh Coppins will lead the premier MX1 category into Wonthaggi for CDR Yamaha, coming off a pivotal victory at Coonabarabran’s second round two weeks ago.

Coppins has proven Mr. Consistent to date in the 2012 title chase, currently heading red-hot Campbell Mining/TLD/Maxima/Honda privateer Jake Moss and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s defending four-time champion Jay Marmont.

"I qualified fifth on Saturday and didn’t feel that good on the track, so I just shifted my focus for Sunday and was able to make it work,” Coppins said following round two. "Starts are really important with these shorter races so it was good to get them nailed and I was battling up front every race.

"Leading now doesn’t mean much as we have a long way to go, but so far things have been going to plan, the CDR team has been working tirelessly and we need to keep the momentum going.”

Kiwi Ben Townley continues to recover in New Zealand from hip injuries sustained at Coonabarabran, while Billy Mackenzie has been forced out with a wrist injury. Monster Energy Kawasaki has confirmed that Queensland rising star Dylan Peterson will take his position alongside Marmont.


CDR Yamaha’s Josh Coppins leads the Monster Energy MX Nationals into round three. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com

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Motul MX2 Class:  It will be Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Luke Styke who holds the series leader’s red plate into Wonthaggi, winning in dominant fashion at round two with a clean-sweep. Styke currently heads teammate Kirk Gibbs and Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale in the points chase.

Victorian rising star Dylan Long leads the Pirelli MX Development class into Wonthaggi after winning round one earlier this month, followed closely by round two winner Dylan Long on another KTM and Axis Motorsports Kawasaki’s Mitch Norris.

Round three will also include a Mini Cup for 85cc two-stroke and 150cc four-stroke big-wheel machines, as well as the MotoOnline.com.au Rookie Lites class for 13-U16 100-150cc two-stroke and 250cc four-stroke models.

When the Monster Energy MX Nationals travel to Wonthaggi for round three, the event will mark a special occasion for event promoter Williams Event Management (WEM).

Based out of Loch in Victoria, the Wonthaggi round is WEM’s local venue on the world class series’ schedule, and managing director Kevin Williams is proud to take the elite level of the sport back home where it all began for him.

With a truly international line-up of 20 overseas riders from as many as seven separate countries in Australia to take on our domestic best, Australian motocross is recognised worldwide as one of the premier series on a national level.

"It’s great to have a venue of an international standard in our backyard,” Williams explained. "We travel all around Australia, so to bring one of the premier products in Australian motorsport to our local area is a delight.

"After travelling 30,000km so far this year to host the series, with an opportunity to run a round and sleep in my own bed, why wouldn’t I want to? This is one of the rounds I have really been anticipating as a great one on the calendar.

"The Wonthaggi track and club have been going for years down here and it’s where I learnt the sport myself. Back in the day I rode at Wonthaggi a lot, so it’s like coming back to home soil for me and I’m excited to bring it back to the region.”

The series will continue at Wonthaggi in Victoria on 28-29 April, marking round three of 10 for the 2012 season. Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship

Series Calendar:
Rd1 – 1 April – Conondale, QLD 

Rd2 – 14-15 April – Coonabarabran, NSW

Rd3 – 28-29 April – Wonthaggi, VIC

Rd4 – 12-13 May – Wanneroo, WA

Rd5 – 20 May – Murray Bridge, SA

Rd6 – 1 July – Hervey Bay, QLD

Rd7 – 15 July – Barrabool, VIC

Rd8 – 29 July – Appin, NSW

Rd9 – 19 August – Moree, NSW

Rd10 – 25-26 August – Coolum, QLD

MX1 Championship Standings (after 2 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 125
2. Jake Moss 101
3. Jay Marmont 95
4. Brad Anderson 94
5. Tye Simmonds 94
6. Lawson Bopping 89
7. Todd Waters 89
8. Cody Cooper 87
9. Ben Townley 75
10. Daniel Reardon 72

MX2 Championship Standings (after 2 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 132
2. Kirk Gibbs 119
3. Ford Dale 110
4. Kade Mosig 97
5. Josh Cachia 92
6. Justin McDonald 88
7. Cheyne Boyd 87
8. Adam Monea 80
9. Errol Willis 76
10. Ryan Marmont 67

MXD Championship Standings (after 2 of 10 rounds):
1. Dylan Long 124
2. Dylan Leary 106
3. Mitch Norris 101
4. Sam Martin 99
5. Kale Makeham 96
6. Kayne Lamont 94
7. Joel Milesevic 92
8. Jay Wilson 89
9. Dylan Wills 58
10. Mitch Budd 54