Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship

McCOY GRABS SX SERIES OPEN PODIUM

Team Motul Pirelli Suzuki's Daniel McCoy has wrapped up third position in the Pro Open category of the Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship at Ipswich in Queensland at the weekend.

The 27-year-old from Camden in New South Wales entered the round within title contention; however a sixth place finish resulted in a solid third place overall in the five-round series aboard the 2012 model fuel injected Suzuki RM-Z450.

McCoy suffered from a bad start in the traditional 20-lap main event, but managed to slice his way through the field to sixth place in a determined effort to cap off an exceptional season.

Despite being disappointed with the result after battling for the title and leading during the middle stages, McCoy gave full credit to the Motul Pirelli Suzuki squad after a competitive year together.

"To finish third in the series is a real credit to the Motul Pirelli Suzuki team and the RM-Z450," McCoy said. "I had a bad start in the main event, which was disappointing after I won my heat race. To come from 14th to sixth wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't what we needed if I was going to challenge for the championship.

"Third is a good result though overall and it's been a great season for me. The switch to the Open was a good one for me, because as soon as I got on the Suzuki I knew it was right for me. I could focus on my training and practice, which really helped us throughout the season."

With Pro Lites regular Steven Clarke ruled out of the finale after suffering a wrist injury in the penultimate round, Motul Pirelli Suzuki gave the opportunity to Under 19s contender Corey Lucas to ride its RM-Z250.

With little time to adapt to the factory bike, Lucas raced to 10th for the round after crashing; securing third place in the championship that was won by Raceline Pirelli Suzuki's Errol Willis. Lucas enjoyed the opportunity to race under the factory tent.

"It was a great season to finish third, so I'm happy with that and can't wait for next season already," Lucas said. "The final round was unreal riding for the Motul Pirelli Suzuki team. They didn't put any pressure on me, so it was a lot of fun and a big eye opener to ride for a factory team.

"The first time I rode the team's race bike was in practice, so I had a lot to learn but really enjoyed it. I crashed at the start of the main event and had to work my way back through to 10th, but it was enough to get third in the series so that was a highlight of my season."

Team manager Jay Foreman was happy to see McCoy on the podium for the series, especially considering it was a late decision of the team to move him up from the Pro Lites to the Pro Open class. He was also pleased to welcome Lucas for the weekend.

"The last two weeks were tough for the team and Daniel really suffered with a bad start tonight," Foreman explained. "It was a good result for the championship and I couldn't ask anymore from someone who was thrown in the Open class at the last minute. We led during the series, which was a bonus, so I'm happy with where we ended up.

"In Corey's case, both Suzuki and the team didn't want to have the bike sitting there after Steven was injured, so we thought we would let him have a ride to gain experience. He finished third in the championship and rode really well all year."

Team Motul Pirelli Suzuki will now enter the off-season before making preparations for 2012 over the coming months.

2011 Monster Energy Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship Round Five - Ipswich:

Pro Open Results:

1. Jay Marmont 2. Tye Simmonds 3. Chris Blose 4. Billy Mackenzie 5. Todd Waters 6. Daniel McCoy (Team Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 7. Craig Anderson 8. Lewis Woods 9. Ryan Marmont 10. Michael Phillips

Pro Open Standings:

1. Jay Marmont 105 2. Tye Simmonds 97 3. Daniel McCoy (Team Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 87 4. Billy Mackenzie 79 5. Lawson Bopping (Team Raceline Pirelli Suzuki) 74 6. Todd Waters 72 7. Chris Blose 67 8. Ryan Marmont 64 9. Dan Reardon 55 10. Michael Phillips 50

Under 19s Results:

1. Geran Stapleton 2. Jarrad Davis 3. Sam Martin (Suzuki) 4. Mitch Norris 5. Tristen Cachia 6. Sam Duncanson 7. Errol Willis (Team Raceline Pirelli Suzuki) 8. Lincoln Nicol 9. Ben Parrington 10. Corey Lucas (Team Motul Pirelli Suzuki)

Under 19s Standings:

1. Errol Willis (Team Raceline Pirelli Suzuki) 89 2. Geran Stapleton 75 3. Corey Lucas (Team Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 59 4. Sam Duncanson 58 5. Mitch Norris 55 6. Tristen Cachia 54 7. Jarrad Davis 52 8. Thomas Larsen-Moss 48 9. Sam Martin (Suzuki) 47 10. Jake Williams (Suzuki) 34


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