Lawson Bopping had the speed, but struggled with starts at Dubbo's ASX opener. Image: Grant Reynolds/FiftySix Clix.

CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping has cited starts as his downfall following the opening round of the Terex Australian Supercross Championships last Saturday evening at Dubbo’s Morris Park Speedway.

Despite focusing on outdoors in the lead-up to the series due to his Motocross of Nations commitments, Bopping came out swinging at the opener by topping practice and qualifying, however his run during the night program didn’t go so smoothly.

Bopping was fifth in his heat race, and then he suffered from a terrible start in the 20-lap main and had his work cut out for a good result after ending the first lap in 15th.

He clawed his way forward, passing riders regularly to finish in fourth place for the night and salvage a good result.

“I can’t go starting like that and then expect to win races at a national level,” Bopping reflected. “My starts were pretty bad at the end of the MX Nationals as well, so it is something I will continue to work on and ensure I’m up the front from the beginning of the race at round two.”

Team owner Craig Dack plans to work closely with Bopping in a bid to boost their title chances in the closing three rounds.

“Lawson is clearly fast enough, but we need to work together with him on his starts to ensure we can capitalise on his speed,” Dack commented.

The series will continue at Phillip Island alongside the AirAsia Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix on 27-28 October.