CDR Yamaha confirm 2013 team lineup

With the retirement of 2012 champ, Josh Coppins, CDR went searching for a new rider capable of winning races - and championships. That search ended with the signature of ex-GP racer, Billy Mackenzie, who has spent the past few seasons in Australia with the Kawasaki factory team, including last season where four-time champ Jay Marmont was his team mate.

"I have watched Billy a lot over the past few seasons and his speed has always been impressive," said CDR's team leader, Craig Dack.

"I felt there were a couple of areas he needed to address and we have spoken about them and now that he is settled in Australia and comfortable racing here combined with his new attitude and CDR's on going desire to stay out front, I'm confident Billy will be a major contender in 2013."

Mackenzie himself is excited to be on the CDR team and back on Yamaha where he spent a lot of years on the blue bikes during his GP days. Since getting a YZ450F in December, Mackenzie has been hard at work in preparation for the New Zealand Motocross championships and the prized MX Nationals.

"The first time I sat on the team bike, it just felt right," said the Scotsman.

"The team has great staff and enormous knowledge on the bikes and the years spent developing them is obvious. CDR Yamaha is the most professional team in the pits and I'm humbled Craig selected me and this is my chance to make this year the best year of my career," Mackenzie said.

After impressing in 2012, Lawson Bopping returns to CDR for his second year and looking to continue his surge up the field. Bopping surprised many in 2012 with his bursts of speed and fantastic results that saw him finish in the top five of both motocross and supercross championships.

"Last year was great and it was a huge learning curve for me to be on a team like CDR. I now know what is expected and how things work within the team and also I'm totally familiar with the YZ450F so with a good preseason behind me, I expect my results to improve in 2013.

"We already have a great base to start pre-season testing and the team is ready to go. The MX Nationals start in April and it's going to be a great year," Bopping signs off.

Mackenzie will be going back and forth to New Zealand to work with and ride for the JCR (Josh Coppins Racing) Yamaha team in that country's MX1 championships. Mackenzie hopes the NZ experience will prove to be the perfect hit out and warm up for the 2013 MX Nationals.

Bopping will work closely with the team in getting the bike perfect to his requirements and also spend some time at the AIS in Canberra honing his fitness prior to the April MX Nats kick off.

Images: Shayne Rice/404 Shots