FOUR OF A KIND! CDR Yamaha's Jay Marmont wins fourth MX Nationals title
The 28-year-old from Wollongong overcame an 18-point deficit to edge out teammate Josh Coppins for the overall victory, clinching the premier Pro Open title after his Kiwi rival suffered a dislocated shoulder in moto three and was forced out of action.
Marmont has been stunning in the second half of the season, his popular championship win coming via 1-2-1-1 results at Coolum against Australia's best.
"What a day, not in my wildest dreams did I think that this was going to happen," the 28-year-old said. "I just tried win out there today, got the points I needed to for the championship and I'm just so happy to be here.
"It hasn't sunk in yet, but I do have the same butterflies that I had when I won my first one in 2008. Crazy things have happened this year, everybody's had their bad luck, but that is racing and exactly why we all do it and why we love it.
"I couldn't have done this without CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha, all of my sponsors and massive group of supporters. I also want to say congratulations to Josh and the other guys on a great season, I look forward to coming back and battling for number five."
The result confirms Marmont as one of the greatest ever in Australian motocross.
For former world championship runner-up Coppins, the final round was a heartbreaking one, attempting to line up for moto four before he opted out due to pain from his shoulder injury. Coppins is expected to undergo surgery this week.
Coppins had earlier shadowed Marmont in moto one to finish second and stepped up to win moto two, but came unstuck in moto three to see his title hopes dashed in a disappointing turn of events for the likable 34-year-old.
"In motocross the highs are high and the lows are low, but that's why we do it," a gracious Coppins said. "Today was one of those days, but I gave 100 percent and so did the team. I just want to say congratulations to Jay and his family - he's been a class act all year and deserved it. I did my best, that's all that I can do."
Despite crashing out of title contention, ninth overall at Coolum secured second in the series for Coppins ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki's Billy Mackenzie, who leapfrogged teammate Dean Ferris in the standings.
"I've really enjoyed it here and I hope to come back next year to try for the championship again," Scottish star Mackenzie said. "It's been tough, a proper championship and everybody stepped it up. The competition has been really good all year so I look forward to coming back for another crack in 2012."
Ferris, 21, was involved in the crash with Coppins in moto three and was forced out, transported to hospital in a stable condition after being attended to by the Suzuki RACESAFE Medical Team.
Mackenzie finished second overall for the round after taking 3-6-2-3 finishes, with Todd Waters taking his second podium in a row for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing after returning from injury mid-season. Waters scored 9-9-4-2 results.
The Andrew McFarlane Privateer Cup went to Western Australian hard-charger Louis Calvin, who finished ninth overall in the championship for Herb Watson Racing KTM on a 350 SX-F.
Visit www.mxnationals.com.au on the web for more information on the 2011 season.
2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals
Round 9 Results:
Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open
1. Jay Marmont (CDR Rockstar Energy Drink Yamaha) 97
2. Billy Mackenzie (Monster Energy Kawasaki) 77
3. Todd Waters (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) 64
4. Lawson Bopping (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki) 64
5. Cody Cooper (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) 54
6. Jamie Law (Herb Watson Racing KTM) 53
7. Michael Addison (Team 07 Axis Motorsports Honda) 52
8. Michael Phillips (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) 50
9. Josh Coppins (CDR Rockstar Energy Drink Yamaha) 47
10. Beau Ralston (Chris Watson Motorcycles Yamaha) 44
Final Championship Standings (after 9 of 9 rounds):
Rockstar Energy Drink Pro Open
1. Jay Marmont 682
2. Josh Coppins 650
3. Billy Mackenzie 636
4. Dean Ferris 601
5. Cheyne Boyd 537
6. Michael Phillips 510
7. Lawson Bopping 497
8. Cody Cooper 449
9. Louis Calvin 340
10. Beau Ralston 246
