“It was a very tough track,” said No Fear Honda’s Cody Cooper after coming away from the season opener of the national motocross championships held in Western Australia last weekend.

That sentiment was often repeated by a number of “easterners” who found the primarily sandy circuit quite different than anything else they had ridden before.

“We had a bit of time to train out here, but could have used more,” Cooper said.

Although the No Fear Team finished up with mixed results, there were some positive outcomes for the four factory backed riders.

Cooper made his foray into the Pro Open class on Sunday after being duly promoted up to the CRF450, and managed an impressive second place finish in moto 1 behind Daryl Hurley.

After an off season of dedicated physical training, the young Kiwi’s stamina is clearly better than it has ever been before, and his prowess was on full display early on in the proceedings.

He snatched the holeshot and solidly led the race before a red flag incident called for a restart. Although Cody once again claimed the first corner, he slowed slightly due to shoulder pain.

“I was gutted when I saw that red flag because I felt like I could win that first race if I got the holeshot,” Coops said. “But I managed to stick with Hurley for a while when we came back out. Overall I was pretty happy with my riding today. I also got a good start in the second race but got a stitch and lost quite a few places by the end of the 20 odd laps.”

Whilst Cooper went home from the first fight in a respectable fifth position overall, team mate Craig Anderson’s day went from good to difficult in a matter of hours.

Although he qualified well and finished in the top four in moto 1, a sore shoulder and neck copped from an injury at the Perth Supercross nine days ago wreaked havoc on Ando’s second race fitness.

“The first moto went pretty well, but I did struggle a bit with the sandy track and not having much riding time on it,” he said after finishing 7th overall for the round.

“It obviously could have been a much better meeting all around for me. But I’m focusing on preparing for next week in Adelaide now. I know the Gillman circuit well and am confident I’ll be able to get a better result with some time to rest this injury.”

In the Lites stakes, veteran Honda man Troy Dorron rode consistently and used his vast experience to make the most of the unforgiving surroundings.

“I had a good start in race one and got up to around 6th but had a crash,” he explained.

“I managed to restart pretty quick so was glad to be able to work back up to 8th. In the second race, I got the holeshot. After that, I struggled a bit on the track but still managed a fourth.”

“It could have been better but I’m glad to have clocked up the points.”

Doz now goes into round two in the fifth place spot, with fellow Lites rider Danny Anderson four places behind him in ninth after taking a hard knock in his inaugural MX outing with the Team.

“I rode reasonably well overall,” Disgy said. “But I crashed in a big way in race one and had to work my way back up pretty hard so I was pleased to finish 8th.”

“In moto 2, I got second into the first corner behind Doz, and then just lost a bit of momentum.”

“I think everyone was a little unprepared for the attack of the locals. They really gave us a run for our money,” said the 19 year old younger Anderson.

On the Team’s trip to WA, Manager Pip Harrison said it was “not what we would have liked.”

“Its not all doom and gloom though. There were some positive indications. Cody rode extremely well his first time out in the Open class, and all the boys got some points on the board. It’s a long season and we will work on being consistent throughout.”

The No Fear Honda Team will next appear at round two of the Motocross Championships to be held in South Australia on Sunday, April 9th.

They will be joined by team mate Rebecca Lipsett who will be competing in the National Cup series.