MARMONT ARMED FOR BATTLE

Yamaha’s motocross racing teams head to Moree for the penultimate round of the 2011 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals this weekend. Coming from a successful campaign at round seven in Albury, all three Yamaha teams look forward to the Moree event as the corresponding round in 2010 proved to be a good one for each of the Yamaha teams.

CDR ROCKSTAR YAMAHA
The game plan for the CDR Rockstar Energy team doesn’t change. After winning the previous two rounds with Jay Marmont at the controls and Josh Coppins posting two podium finishes, the CDR duo have pulled back a huge amount of points and their late season charge has them right in contention as the championship works its way down to the Coolum finale.

Coppins has been a model of consistency the past two rounds and clawed his way back to second spot in the championship, just 14 points from the series lead. His 20 years of racing experience is holding him in good stead in the championship fight as Coppins wins the races that he can and salvages good points in those that he can’t.  

The Moree track is another new one for Coppins but that means little as the Kiwi is fighting fit and ready to rumble on board his factory Yamaha YZ450F.

“I said prior to the last round that now is the time to win races and the same still applies. The points are tight at the top and the rider who makes the least mistakes is going to win this championship,” Coppins explains. “My game plan is still to win races, that what CDR employed me to do and it’s my job to do it.”

Jay Marmont enters Moree with a spring in his step after stringing together back to back round wins and going to a track that set up his championship victory in 2010. The mid season charge has seen Marmont back to his best and the hard yards he puts in during the week is beginning to pay dividends as the championship gets serious.

“I’m 32 points from the lead and I’m not going to let my number 1 plate go without a fight,” Marmont says determinately. “All I can do is keep winning races at the final two rounds and not worry about what happens behind me. The CDR team has given me everything I require to get that done and aside from the lingering effects of the flu, my preparation has been good so I look forward to another successful trip to Moree.”

SERCO YOSIMURA YAMAHA
The Yamaha supported Pro Lites team hits Moree with lead rider Kirk Gibbs bouncing back to form at the previous round with two race victories. Since then, Gibbs has also secured two New South Wales Motocross Championships and spent some time in Sydney riding and training to keep in top shape.

Gibbs currently lies in second position in the Pro Lites championship and looks forward to the final two rounds as both Moree and Coolum are among his favourite tracks.

“2010 was our first time to Moree and I really liked the track and had some success there. I have since been back to the track to stay sharp on it and I feel my riding has been going well over the past month. There are only two rounds to go, so it’s time to pull put all the stops and finish the championship out strongly,” Gibbs said.      

Partnering Gibbs this weekend will be guest rider Luke Styke. Styke steps into the Serco Yoshimura Yamaha Team after regular rider Jake Moss is confined to the sidelines with a shoulder injury. Styke, who currently sits in 10^thplace, has spent some valuable time testing his new Serco ride this week and is impressed with what he has beneath him.

“Jumping onto a factory bike and on a team as professional as Serco is a massive step,” Styke comments. I instantly felt comfortable on the bike and it is far in advance of my race bike in terms of suspension and motor performance. I have the equipment now to get the results, so it’s up to me to make that happen.”

For an up close and personal look at the Serco Yoshimura Yamaha team; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6pbNAAApgw&feature=youtu.be

GYTR ROCKSTAR YAMAHA
Yamaha’s Under 19 team holds down second and third in the stars of tomorrow championship. Luke Arbon had some tough luck at the Albury round when he was involved in a pile up, dropping him down the points for the round, but still maintains second place overall with two rounds remaining.

“I have got nothing to lose, so this weekend I’m just going for it. I’m not going to get to the end of the championship wondering, so it’s all or nothing this weekend,” Arbon offers. “I have spent the lead up down in New South Wales riding with different guys and on different tracks and the change of scenery has done me good. I feel good leading into this weekend.”

Shaun Redhead made his third podium appearance for the year at Albury and sits in third place for the championship. Redhead has been a contender all year and already has secured a few race wins. He is now starting to combine his speed with some consistency and he will be a man to watch in the final two rounds.

“Once you stand on the podium, anything less becomes unacceptable. I have set myself some goals for the final two rounds and I really like the Moree and Coolum tracks. I’m confident I can achieve them and finish the championship on a high note.”

Yamaha riders will be at Thomas Lee Motorcycles this Saturday morning from 10.30am to 12noon to hand out posters and sign autographs.

Action gets under way at the Moree circuit at 8.30am Sunday morning and for more information;www.mxnationals.com.au

Overall Standings – After Round Seven
 Pro Open
1. Dean Ferris 523
2. Josh Coppins 509
3. Billy Mackenzie 507
4. Jay Marmont 491
5. Cheyne Boyd 436
6. Michael Phillips 415
7. Lawson Bopping 375
8. Cody Cooper 344
9. Louis Calvin 268
10. Daniel Reardon 226

Pro Lites
1. Matt Moss 503
2. Kirk Gibbs 445
3. Phil Nicoletti 417
4. Daniel McCoy 410
5. Brenden Harrison 407
6. Justin McDonald 366
7. Kade Mosig 361
8. Josh Cachia 358
9. Cody Mackie 350
10. Luke Styke 324

Under 19's
1. Errol Willis 556
2. Luke Arbon 480
3. Shaun Redhead 444
4. Dylan Peterson 385
5. Jake Emanuelli 359
6. Kyle McKeddie 345
7. Jay Wilson 326
8. Sam Martin 243
9. Kale Makeham 235
10. Dan Banks 226