CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping was fastest in a drama-filled Saturday at the Coonabarabran round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship.

The 22-year-old turned an incredible 2:34.4 around the slightly revised Goanna Tracks circuit, almost a full two seconds faster than Campbell Mining Services Honda privateer Jake Moss.

Moss was again impressive at the front of the field and displaying the confidence that has taken him to podiums in AMA motocross, edging out training partner and fellow in-form rider Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki).

Another top Honda privateer in the top five is Bourke’s Tye Simmonds, who was within the 2:36 bracket with Moss and Waters, as was second Suzuki recruit – and first international – Cody Cooper.

Lawson Bopping was almost two seconds faster than the MX1 field on his way to first in qualifying. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

The day was dominated by rising Aussie stars, assisted by the heartbreaking injury of series leader Ben Townley (see news for more) in practice, but signaling that Josh Coppins and company won’t easily have it their way in 2012.

Coppins was sixth and almost half a second ahead of Monster Kawasaki’s defending champion Jay Marmont, who continues to recover from a nasty pre-season knee injury.

Completing the top 10 was Dan McCoy (Hart & Huntington/InsureMyRide Suzuki), Brad Anderson (Carlton Dry Honda) and Billy Mackenzie (Monster Energy Kawasaki).

Confusion with the TAG timing system saw an anxious wait following the MX1 qualifying session, with many of the factory team managers and riders not completely certain that their times matches those recorded on team stopwatches.

Ford Dale continued to set the pace in the Motul MX2 category with a 2:36.2, marginally ahead of Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Luke Styke and a resurgent Cheyne Boyd (DPH Motorsports Honda). Series leader Kirk Gibbs was fourth (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing), while Monster Kawasaki’s Kade Mosig finished the leading five.

Two strokes reigned supreme in the Pirelli MXD ranks, led by Victorian Kale Makeham ahead of fellow KTM young gun, Joel Milesevic. Raceline Pirelli Suzuki’s Jay Wilson was third and first four-stroke, ahead of Mitch Norris (Axis Kawasaki) and title red plate holder Dylan Long (Choice Motorsports KTM).

MotoOnline.com.au has limited internet access during this event live from Coonabarabran, however stay tuned later this evening for a full rundown of results and reports from the round.

Ford Dale flies high on his way to the MX2 class pole position at Goanna Tracks. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Two – Coonabarabran, NSW

MX1 Qualifying Top 20:
1. Lawson Bopping 2:34.4
2. Jake Moss 2:36.1
3. Todd Waters 2:36.4
4. Tye Simmonds 2:36.6
5. Cody Cooper 2:36.8
6. Josh Coppins 2:37.0
7. Jay Marmont 2:37.4
8. Daniel McCoy 2:37.6
9. Brad Anderson 2:38.4
10. Billy Mackenzie 2:38.7
11. Craig Anderson 2:38.8
12. Daniel Reardon 2:38.8
13. Darryll King 2:39.0
14. Aden de Jager 2:41.7
15. Calle Aspegren 2:41.7
16. Dylan Peterson 2:41.8
17. Dean Porter 2:42.9
18. Beau Ralston 2:43.2
19. Kyle McKeddie 2:43.4
20. Tim Vare 2:44.3

MX2 Qualifying Top 20:
1. Ford Dale 2:36.2
2. Luke Styke 2:37.1
3. Cheyne Boyd 2:38.0
4. Kirk Gibbs 2:38.1
5. Kade Mosig 2:38.6
6. Scott Columb 2:39.4
7. Josh Cachia 2:39.5
8. Justin McDonald 2:40.8
9. Adam Monea 2:41.1
10. Errol Willis 2:41.6
11. Lewis Woods 2:41.7
12. Ryan Marmont 2:41.9
13. Nick Murray 2:42.0
14. Matthew Phillips 2:42.6
15. Luke Arbon 2:43.2
16. Brock Winston 2:43.3
17. Kody Wheeler 2:43.5
18. Geran Stapleton 2:45.1
19. Daniel McEntee 2:45.4
20. James Booth Elliot 2:45.9

MXD Qualifying Top 20:
1. Kale Makeham 2:01.6
2. Joel Milesevic 2:01.8
3. Jay Wilson 2:01.9
4. Mitch Norris 2:01.9
5. Dylan Long 2:02.4
6. Sam Martin 2:02.6
7. Daniel Banks 2:03.1
8. Kayne Lamont 2:03.5
9. Jarrad Davis 2:03.7
10. Josh Melis 2:05.0
11. John Phillips 2:05.3
12. Scott Mann 2:05.3
13. Wade Hunter 2:05.4
14. Dylan Wills 2:05.6
15. Joel Evans 2:05.9
16. Dylan Leary 2:06.6
17. Mitch Budd 2:06.8
18. Dion Picard 2:07.0
19. Joe Gillespie 2:07.1
20. Tristen Cachia 2:07.6