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2005 Australian Motocross
Championship - Round Eight (Final) - Conondale (QLD) - Honda Report July 4th, 2005 |
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2005 Australian Motocross
Championship - Round Eight (Final) - Conondale (QLD) - Honda Report July 4th, 2005 |
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| A mud-spattered fast track set
the scene for the final round of the Australian Motocross series
last weekend at Queensland’s Conondale circuit, with No Fear
Honda’s Craig Anderson and Cody Cooper both finishing up with
first-rate results. At his third meeting back from injury, Ando seized second place overall on the day, giving him a fourth for the series – an excellent outcome for the multiple champion who was forced to miss three of the eight rounds due to a broken foot. In moto one, Ando slotted nicely into second after an uncharacteristically average start and set out on the task of catching series leader Daryl Hurley. Although he crossed the line in that position, a 15 second penalty to Hurley promoted No Fear’s lead rider to race winner. The 27 year old Honda frontrunner again slotted into second in moto two after once more getting away from the gates in a less than ideal spot. Ando kept Kiwi Darryll King at bay for most of the 30 minute plus one lap competition, but had to settle for third when the flag fell. Generally pleased with his day, Ando did note some disappointment with his starts. “It wasn’t like me to get such a bad start in both races, but I managed to get back up to the front runners.” “I did qualify well in second, and it was a very fast track which I like. However I had some trouble with one particularly muddy section that kept slowing me down - that and a bit of arm pump in moto one didn’t help and I found myself playing catch up.” Although tied on points with Danny Ham for the fourth place series finish, Ando claims the position due to the number of race wins he amassed overall (5 wins out of 10 races). In terms of his physical fitness after recovering from a series hindering injury, Craig said “I’m generally very good. My foot aches a little after a race but its fine once I rest it again.” Anderson won both the Australian Motocross as well as the Supercross series titles in 2002 before heading off to the U.S. for a two year stint in the American league. He is tipped to be one of the hot favourites to take out the title once again in his home country in 2005. “At this point, I am now wholly focused on the coming Supercross Masters, and am really looking forward to the first round in Brisbane in a few weeks. When an injury stops you from competing, the motivation comes back even harder once you’re back out there.” “I am not a rider who is happy to settle for anything less than a race win, and that is how I will be approaching this next championship.” Similar to his performance the previous week at Gillman, Pro Lite team mate Cody Cooper was also in brilliant form at Conondale taking away the number one trophy on the day. Cody put in the fastest qualifying time as well as two outstanding rides, finishing second and first in his respective heats. Other than having to try and catch the leader in moto one, the 2004 Pro Lite Champion had a ‘by-the-book’ day highlighting his improved physical fitness and mental focus. After suffering a series of bad luck incidents earlier in the season, Cody has continued to work his way back up the rungs of the championship ladder. He finished seventh, just behind Troy Carroll, and although not particularly pleased with the placing, the young Kiwi is happy to be back in prime form. “Everything is feeling really good again now and the last couple of rounds, the bike set up felt much more comfortable.” Coops commented. “I’m planning on carrying that through to supercross.” The Team were also joined in Queensland once again by enduro star Jamie Cunningham and female rider Rebecca Lipsett who both rode extremely well, finishing their relevant races and achieving their personal goals. Jamie scored in the top half of the field after taking a hard hit on more than one occasion. In fact, at one point, a rock unceremoniously took the peak clean off his helmet causing a slight delay in his own proceedings. However the 2004 Australian Safari and Condo 750 Cross Country Rally Champion finished his races strongly and came away with a smile on his face. Rebecca concluded the five round National Cup series with her best effort yet, scoring in the points in both heats. “I’m stoked,” she said. “I had a blast competing in this series and think it has helped to improve my riding immensely.” After having missed Conondale and Gillman, the team’s popular favourite Troy Dorron has been at home recuperating from a chest injury. Dorron will be testing this week at his home town track in Geelong to ready for Supercross where he holds three Pro Lite titles for the consecutive years of 1999 through 2001. The Supercross Masters commences on Saturday, July 23rd at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. |
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