2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals Preview
Looking at the MX1 teams as we head into round 1 this weekend at the Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, at Raymond Terrace in NSW on Sunday, 14 April.
CDR Yamaha will go into the series chasing its 6th straight championship in the premier class, with #70 Lawson Bopping starting his second season with the team. He will be setting his sights high, after Josh Coppins retired the task was for Craig Dack to find another rider capable of being a podium contender.
The rider charged with that job is former British Champion #211 Billy Mackenzie, now heading into his 3rd year on the Australian circuit, Mackenzie has had a solid lead into the series opener with some strong results in the New Zealand Nationals, finishing second overall to Suzuki’s Cody Cooper.
Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s line up is lead by the new New Zealand MX1 champion Cody Cooper, Cooper is fast and looks in great form. Beside Cooper will be Matt Moss, Moss has won championships in the MX2 class and is keen to show he can play in the big league, there has been rumors he may be carry a wrist injury.
Motorex KTM, will have a solid team, returning to manage the team is an old face from the MX paddock Rob Twyerould. Rob has had plenty of experience and will bring a solid foundation for the new team.
#47 Todd Waters’ return to KTM will be a big plus, Todd finished 2nd last year and has the talent and speed to take the top spot, his team mate #5 Kirk Gibbs has been a very solid performer for several years in the MX2 class and will be very consistent.
Monster Energy Kawasaki, #2 Jay Marmont will be one of the strongest riders in the 2013 championship series, winner of 4 MX1 championships and coming into 2013 off the back of winning the 2012 Terex Supercross Championship he will be there week in week out. #3 Adam Monea has returned to the green team for the season and will be a rider keen to make a mark on the premier class.
Carlton Dry Honda, the retirement of Ben Townley has left a huge hole in the teams line-up, #41 Ford Dale will be working hard to make his mark in the premier class after winning the MX2 class in 2012, #65 Daniel McCoy has been called in to fill the hole created by Townley. Whilst not expected to be a title contender McCoy can hold his own and on a good day could very well be on the podium.
Zero Seven Motorsport, #33 Cody Mackie returns to racing after a 12 month break, Mackie is a rider that can surprise and will be keen to be recognized as a real contender.
Berry Sweet Lucas Oils Yamaha, # 42 Tye Simmonds has been a rider that should have been closer to the front in 2012, unfortunately a few niggling injuries played havoc on his 2012 campaign. Tye has been training hard and working closely with team owner and boss Craig Anderson, word is Tye is the most prepared he has been in years heading into the MX series.
Campbell Mining Suzuki, #6 Matt Moss will head into this season fit and ready, the 2013 series will be the 2nd season for the new team and Moss is ready to show that privateer teams can be in the main game, Jake will be one to watch this weekend.
The Motul MX2 class has seen record entries for the opening round with 47 riders entered.
Serco Yamaha, will have a strong two rider team, 2012 runner up Luke Styke will run the number 2 plate and in his first full season as a pro rider #19 Luke Clout will line up with the team.
Zero Seven Motorsport, will run #48 Kade Mosig as their MX2 rider, this will be Mosig’s second season on the Kawasaki and he will be a strong contender for the championship.
Raceline Suzuki, will field 2 new riders, #3 Ryan Marmont will come into the opening round with a high level of confidence after winning 2 round of the New Zealand Championship, along side Marmont will be #14 Geran Stapleton, this will be Stapleton’s first full team rider and he has just returned from a preseason training session at MTF in the USA.
Carlton Dry Honda, originally the team wasn’t going to run a MX2 rider and then Josh Cachia became available and was snapped up by the red team, Cachia is one of the toughest riders in the paddock and is keen to win the championship.
Choice Motorsport, will run the KTM program in the MX2 class after signing the number 1 and 2 riders from the 2012 Pirelli Under 19’s championship #7 Kane Lamont and #5 Dylan Long, both riders showed great talent last year and will be rising stars in the future.
There are several other new privateer teams lining up this year, all aiming to make their mark on the series. Round 1 this Sunday at MX Central in Raymond Terrace, NSW, don’t miss the action.
Gates Open Sunday at 7.00am, practice starting at 8:30am and racing from 10:30.
Tickets are at the gate Adults $30.00 Kids 5-15 years $15.00 and Family tickets 2 adults & 2 kids $70.00.