Brad Anderson and Lawson Bopping came together in the final moto at Wonthaggi. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Both Lawson Bopping and Brad Anderson have dismissed any hard feelings following their clash in the final MX1 moto at the Wonthaggi round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals last weekend.

The pair were battle for position late in the moto when Anderson made his way past Bopping, before the CDR Yamaha newcomer speared up the inside one turn later and they both went down.

But the battle was left on the race track as both remounted to clinch their first overall podium results of the season, setting up an increasing rivalry to watch in proceeding rounds.

“He ran it up the inside in the turn before a little bit, so I just pinned it up the inside pretty much, came in too hot and we came together and went down,” Bopping explained.

“It’s all good, it stays on the track, so I’ll work on some things and hopefully come out swinging in the sand at Wanneroo.”

Anderson also shrugged off the incident, admitting that he was frustrated at first, but relieved to continue on to claim the overall for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing.

“I’d have probably done the same thing, or try to have done the same thing,” the British champion said. “He wants to win me as much as I want to win him. I made a pass that I don’t think anybody would have tried.

“I didn’t knock into him, but I think we were struggling to get into the same line around the finish corner. Then I think he saw red mist, came up the inside and kept going, wiped us both out.

“I was quite lucky to pick it up in time, so I saw red mist while I was on the floor, but I don’t know how I managed to keep my nerve.

“I got the bike up and when I picked it up, my leg hit Bopping’s bike and he went down the other way. I saw Todd [Waters] coming around, and I knew I had to beat Todd, which I managed to do with two laps to go.”

To check out a complete post-race interview with Anderson, click here.