Round 7 of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, was held at Horsham on Sunday, July 15. This marked the first time the country Victorian track had hosted a round of the MX Nationals since 2010.

Under largely clear skies, the battle for the MX1 championship was going to be a close one. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont returned after missing the Hervey Bay round with an injury, so was looking to get his title defence back on track, while Carlton Dry Honda Racing’s Brad Anderson was also looking to improve after meagre returns from the past few rounds.

However, the main battle turned proved to be between the series leader, CDR Yamaha’s Josh Coppins, and Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Todd Waters. In the varying track conditions at Horsham, the 21-year-old Suzuki rider prevailed to take the round win with 1-3-2 results across the day’s three motos.

Horsham proved to be a day out for the Suzukis, with Waters’ team mate, Cody Cooper, finally putting in a consistent round with a trio of strong results, the highlight being a win in the second moto. Cooper also claimed second in moto one and concluded the round with a third in the final moto. This meant the Kiwi finished the round equal on points, but Waters’ better result in the final long moto meant he was credited with the round win.

Waters led much of the final moto before coming under attack from MX1 series leader Coppins, who showed his experience in the deeply-rutted track conditions to pass and hold the lead over Waters. The long motos have been the kiwi veteran’s forte all season, and Horsham was no exception. Going into the final rounds of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Coppins’ gap over Waters in the title chase now sits at a slim eight-points.

“I was a little bit disappointed Josh came past in that final moto, but I’ve got to hand it to him,” Waters said. “I couldn’t quite hold him off, but anyway that’s how it goes and the track was tough. To come away from today on top of the podium shows the work is starting to pay off, so I’m just stoked and it’s a great day for Motul Pirelli Suzuki.”

Coppins finished the Horsham third overall, on the back of 3-4-1 result, and saw some positives in what he considered a less-than-best performance.
"I wasn’t happy with the first two motos as I wasn’t hitting my lines or really flowing around the track," Coppins stated. “In the last moto I just focused on my riding and let the race sort itself out and it worked as I relaxed, got into a good groove and was able to pass my way forward, so I was pleased I finished the day on a strong note."

Off the podium, British champion Anderson was fourth for the round, and is still a championship contender, while round 6 winner Lawson Bopping completed the top five for CDR Yamaha. In his return from injury, defending champion Jay Marmont finished sixth overall for Monster Energy Kawasaki. Prior to the Hervey Bay round, Marmont had conceded that a fifth straight MX Nationals title was unlikely, and given the result at Horsham, the chances of Marmont retaining his crown look close to impossible.

The 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, will continue with round 8 at Appin in New South Wales on Sunday, 29 July.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

See separate report for MX2 and MXD results from Horsham.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Seven – Horsham, VIC

MX1 Overall Results:
1. Todd Waters 67
2. Cody Cooper 67
3. Josh Coppins 63
4. Brad Anderson 53
5. Lawson Bopping 48
6. Jay Marmont 47
7. Jake Moss 45
8. Daniel McCoy 38
9. Dean Porter 32
10. Daniel Reardon 31

MX1 Championship Standings (after 7 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 415
2. Todd Waters 407
3. Brad Anderson 380
4. Lawson Copping 375
5. Cody Cooper 336
6. Jake Moss 255
7. Jay Marmont 254
8. Tye Simmonds 234
9. Daniel Reardon 227
10. Daniel McCoy 227

Images: Shayne Rice (Yamaha) and twothreepr.com