Kiwi Josh Coppins' Raymond Terrace win moved him to the head of the Pro Open point standings. Image: Alex Gobert.

CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha’s former world number two Josh Coppins has taken control of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, with his second round win in succession on Sunday, 10 April.

The 34-year-old New Zealander won Raymond Terrace’s third round in NSW to edge nine points ahead in the Pro Open standings, another consistent effort of 2-1-1-2 results in the four 20-minute motos enough to clinch the overall.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect today, but the bike was good and we got better starts – I really have to thank CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha,” Coppins said.

“I just rode decent all day, didn’t do anything special, but was just solid and consistent. That’s what I was hoping to do. I knew if I could get good starts and ride like I can then I’d have a good shot to win. That’s what happened.”

On a day where starts were all important, Coppins’ teammate and defending triple champion Jay Marmont, 28, produced a string of fast-starts to score second overall in a stunning 1-2 for the factory Yamaha team.

Wollongong resident Marmont’s 5-3-3-1 results raised him to third in the title standings, while former title leader Dean Ferris (Monster Energy Kawasaki) rounded out the overall podium with 3-2-2-5 finishes to maintain second in the title chase.

Matt Moss continued his perfect overall win streak with a third consecutive Lites win. Image: Alex Gobert.

Fourth overall marked a return to form for 2007 champion Dan Reardon (JDR Motorex KTM), the Queenslander still battling a variety of niggling injuries, but managing to qualify first and win the opening moto of the round.

Completing the top five in the premier class was Victorian Cheyne Boyd (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing).

The Motul-supported Pro Lites category witnessed 2009 champion Matt Moss take his third overall win in a row, continuing his perfect run since joining JDR Motorex KTM for this season.

“I got great starts all day and did what we needed to do,” 22-year-old Moss said. “Being in Newcastle, I’ve always done good here.

“All in all we’re just doing the right things – the bike’s good and I feel like I’m riding really consistently this year. This weekend has been unbelievable.”

Moss’ finishes of 1-1-1-2 on the day saw him take victory ahead of teammate Brenden Harrison, the win good enough to stretch his impressive series lead to a massive 85 points.

Rounding out the podium was 26-year-old Daniel McCoy (Rockstar Motul Suzuki), marking his first rostrum since rejoining the Lites class for this season with Suzuki’s factory effort.

Peterson broke through for his first Under 19s win of the 2011 season. Image: Alex Gobert.

Team 07 Axis Motorsport Honda’s Dylan Peterson realised his 2011 potential with his first overall win of the season in the Pirelli-backed Under 19s category via 2-1-4-1 results.

“I’m just pumped,” Peterson said. “I got four good starts and was on the podium in all the races except for one. I felt good all day, my bike was working well and my team helped me out so much.”

Peterson took the overall from round one winner Luke Arbon (GYTR Rockstar Yamaha) and round two winner Errol Willis (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki), who leads the title by 26 points over Arbon.

Round four of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be contested at Murray Bridge in South Australia on Sunday, 8 May. Practice and qualifying will commence at 8:30am with the official opening ceremonies taking place at approximately 10:30am.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au on the web for complete series and round information on the 2011 season.

2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals
Round 3 Results:

Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open
1. Josh Coppins (CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) 94
2. Jay Marmont (CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) 81
3. Dean Ferris (Monster Energy Kawasaki) 80
4. Daniel Reardon (JDR Motorex KTM) 69
5. Cheyne Boyd (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) 67
6. Lawson Bopping (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki) 67
7. Michael Phillips (Honda) 50
8. Billy Mackenzie (Monster Energy Kawasaki) 50
9. Beau Ralston (Yamaha) 36
10. Ryan Marmont (JDR Motorex KTM) 35

Motul Pro Lites
1. Matt Moss (JDR Motorex KTM) 97
2. Brenden Harrison (JDR Motorex KTM) 74
3. Daniel McCoy (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) 63
4. Kade Mosig (Berry Sweet Strawberries/Lucas Oil/Honda) 60
5. Keiron Hall (Team 07 Axis Motorsport Honda) 60
6. Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yoshimura Yamaha) 59
7. Cody Mackie (Team 07 Axis Motorsport Honda) 59
8. Justin McDonald (Timaru Honda) 58
9. Josh Cachia (JDR Motorex KTM) 45
10. Phil Nicoletti (Monster Energy Kawasaki) 43

Pirelli Under 19s
1. Dylan Peterson (Team 07 Axis Motorsport Honda) 90
2. Luke Arbon (GYTR Rockstar Yamaha) 78
3. Errol Willis (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki) 78
4. Jake Emanuelli (Yamaha Australia/Hart and Huntington) 65
5. Dylan Long (Top Gear KTM) 61
6. Ben George (Yamaha) 54
7. Shaun Redhead (GYTR Rockstar Yamaha) 54
8. Kyle McKeddie (Mornington Kawasaki) 47
9. Jay Wilson (Coastal KTM) 45
10. Mitch Budd (Honda) 38

Championship Standings (after 3 of 9 rounds):

Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open
1. Josh Coppins 228
2. Dean Ferris 219
3. Jay Marmont 199
4. Cheyne Boyd 190
5. Lawson Bopping 188
6. Billy Mackenzie 187
7. Ryan Marmont 163
8. Michael Phillips 163
9. Daniel Reardon 142
10. Louis Calvin 132

Motul Pro Lites
1. Matt Moss 277
2. Kirk Gibbs 192
3. Brenden Harrison 185
4. Cody Mackie 179
5. Daniel McCoy 174
6. Josh Cachia 169
7. Phil Nicoletti 163
8. Kade Mosig 159
9. Keiron Hall 153
10. Ford Dale 149

Pirelli Under 19s
1. Errol Willis 259
2. Luke Arbon 233
3. Dylan Peterson 203
4. Shaun Redhead 185
5. Jake Emanuelli 148
6. Kyle McKeddie 146
7. Dylan Long 112
8. Jacob Mcleod 110
9. Kale Makeham 109
10. Jay Wilson 108