CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha team manager Craig Dack believes Jay Marmont and Josh Coppins have what it takes to rebound in the best way possible with a victory when the MX Nationals continue this weekend in Sydney.
Defending triple champion Marmont finished an uncharacteristic ninth overall at Broadford’s season opener after suffering vision difficulties in the muddy conditions last month, while new teammate and former world number two Josh Coppins was seventh on debut.
Dack, himself a multiple-time national champion, is confident the pair will be able to bounce back come Sunday afternoon at Appin.
“Jay and Josh are professional athletes with pride and ego,” Dack explained. “Both took a hit at round one and you can bet that it didn’t sit well with either of them.
“They have their chance this weekend to rectify it and I’m looking forward to see what they produce. I know how I would react if I was in their position and I fully expect them to do the same.”
No rider is harder on themselves than Marmont and the Wollongong resident is determined to put round one behind him and come out firing at Appin, which is seen as a home track race for the 27-year-old.
“Round one was a terrible weekend. I was angry and embarrassed about the way I raced and I can ashore everyone in my team and my sponsors that it will not happen again,” Marmont promised.
“Together with the CDR crew, we have worked hard since round one to ensure there is no repeat and the result has made me so determined to prove the doubters and the knockers wrong.
“I have done plenty of laps around the Appin track and with a heap of crowd support, I’m confident of a much better showing at round two and start to claw back some points and respect back in this championship.”
Coppins also suffered at round one, but like Marmont, it has only stirred the talented and experienced Kiwi to bounce back stronger, faster and better prepared for round two.
Since round one, Coppins has contested the New Zealand Motocross Championships where ultimately and ankle injury stopped his charge towards the championship.
But after consulting his doctor and some aggressive rehab, Coppins has declared himself a definite starter and 100 percent set and ready to go.
“I came back to Australia after 15 years in Europe to battle for championships, not top 10 results,” Coppins admitted. “Both the team and I expect and deserve better and this weekend is about redeeming our round one performance.
“We have made a couple of changes to the bike, I have fine tuned my training and I now know what to expect from my competitors. Things will be different this weekend.”