The Kiwi led home his team-mate, Matt Moss in the overall pointscore and Scotsman, Billy Mackenzie who was repping a retro Yamaha sticker kit, that celebrated a throwback to 1983.
The difference between the yellow bike mounted team-mates came down to the GoPro SuperPole – Moss had been quickest during regulation qualifying before Cooper leapt ahead of his more experienced team-mate in the fight against the clock.
Cooper managed just sixth in the opening moto, which was won by Championship points leader, Todd Waters (KTM), however changes made to the Motul Pirelli backed machine between races worked – Cooper and his RMZ-450 dominating the second race, setting some of the quickest times of the weekend in the process.
The consistency of Moss was what kept him on the podium. After following Waters home in moto one, he sat behind his team-mate in the second and final race. He survived a scary moment when he came together with Billy Mackenzie mid-air, both were able to continue on.
Mackenzie finished both races in third placing and ended equal on points with Waters at the end of the day. Waters’ fourth placing in the final stanza saw the Scotsman elevate to the podium on countback.
The second placing by Moss has allowed him to close the gap to Waters to 25 points. Waters is still recovering from a concussion sustained at a local (non-Championship) event some weeks ago and will benefit from the six week break between MX Nationals rounds.
Rounding out the top five in a great day for Suzuki was Jake Moss, followed by Lawson Bopping, Kirk Gibbs, Adam Monea, Daniel McCoy and Tye Simmonds rounding out the 10.
He finished second in the opening moto behind Josh Cachia – who has been one of the real revelations of the season in the second tier category despite battling a wrist injury for much of the season.
Then in the second race, Styke was able to find his way back to clear air and taking the win.
Victorian, Kale Makeham recovered from a disastrous last round to finish the weekend in third overall with third and fifth placed finishes.
Fourth was wildcard Jay Wilson (who is ordinarily in the Pirelli MXD Development class, which was absent from the Sunshine Coast event), followed by Beau Ralston, Japanese Honda rider Takeshi Katsuya, Championship second placed man, Luke Clout, Ryan Marmont, Brock Winston and Dylan Long rounded out the top 10.
Replacing the Pirelli MXD category were senior events, with Cheyne Boyd taking the 30-39 years category from Cam Taylor and Craig Anderson. In the 40-plus category it was Mick Cook from James Deakin and Paul Novak.
The next round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals will be held at Appin (near Campbelltown) in Sydney on July 14.
MX1 CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS (TOP 10 – After 5 of 10 rounds):
1. Todd Waters 332
2. Matt Moss 307
3. Billy Mackenzie 289
4. Cody Cooper 268
5. Lawson Bopping 266
6. Adam Monea 232
7. Tye Simmonds 232
8. Jake Moss 230
9. Kirk Gibbs 230
10. Daniel McCoy 209
MX2 CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS (TOP 10 – After 5 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 336
2. Luke Clout 285
3. Josh Cachia 279
4. Brock Winston 258
5. Kale Makeham 255
6. Takeshi Katsuya 212
7. Geran Stapleton 208
8. Ryan Marmont 196
9. Dylan Long 187
10. Kayne Lamont 183
