CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping made the most of recent time spent in the US, breaking through to win his first career Monster Energy MX Nationals round since stepping up to the pro ranks.

MotoOnline.com.au spoke to Bopping straight after the podium celebrations to see how he felt after scoring the big win and boosting himself into title contention.

Time spent in the US has elevated the form of Lawson Bopping. Image: Dan McCallum.

You were able to pick up your first MX Nationals win and first win for CDR Yamaha. It was a great day for you…

Yeah, it was pretty much a perfect day for me and I was able to go 1-2-1. In the second race I had a bit of arm-pump and stuff, but it was all good and I’m so pumped right now – sort of lost for words!

But yeah, I have to say a massive thanks to the team, CDR Yamaha, Dunlop, Fox, Oakley and all of our great sponsors. They all put in a massive effort and I put in a huge effort over the break as well. I’m looking forward to the next couple of rounds.

You went to America during the break, paid for yourself and invested in your own career. That’s something Craig Dack was proud of, so do you think that already we’re starting to see signs that it could pay off for you?

Yeah, pretty much and I’m so glad that I went over. There’s no way that I would have done that much riding over here with the terrible weather and stuff. It cost me a lot of money, but to get the overall is just great. I was stoked I went over, that’s for sure.

Would you relate your performance today to having more confidence, better fitness, faster speed, or a bit of everything?

A bit of everything, really. It’s funny because I didn’t actually feel that great out there, especially going into the last race because I was feeling really sick. I actually threw up a bit on the sighting lap and I was like ‘dude, this isn’t going to be good’.

But I got a great start, put down some quick laps and I was kind of just riding around. Todd [Waters] caught me a bit, but I dug deep in those last few laps and got it done.

Lawson Bopping broke through for his first pro win at Hervey Bay on Sunday. Image: Dan McCullum.

Todd was gaining on you mid-race, but then you seemed to maintain it once you probably knew he was there. Did you know he was coming?

Yeah, I could see him coming, and lappers played into it a little bit. I got a bit tight around halfway when he caught me, so I was like ‘alright, we’ll see how this goes’.

The track was quite hard to pass also, so I just thought I’d take all the good lines and he didn’t get around me so it was good [laughs].

It was sort of like I’d get a few good laps in and then he’d get a few and catch me while I had a few slower laps, but all in all it was great with 1-2-1 finishes. I’m stoked on the overall, it’s sick.

At first it was looking like a three guy fight for this championship, but you’re now just 25 points off the lead and equal third in the series. That’s a big positive for you and something to work from.

We’re definitely in for a shot and there’s still a long way to go. The next few rounds will be really different, back on the clay tracks, and I’ll just keep doing my thing. Hopefully it keeps paying off for the next few rounds.

Just finally, it was a big moment for you to sign in place of Jay Marmont at CDR Yamaha for 2012. Does this win sort of take the pressure off your shoulders? You definitely belong there.

Yeah, it kind of does, you know. I’d never won an overall in motocross, I think the last overall I won was in Under 19s, so this is huge. When you sign up for CDR, everybody who usually rides for CDR has to win [laughs].

Dacka gave us a pretty big rev-up this morning at our meeting and it’s been good working with him, because he wants to win just as much as we do. I’m just stoked right now.