Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor racers eager to round out NZ stopover with success

Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing riders are determined to make the second and final leg of their New Zealand stopover a positive and productive one when Dunedin’s Carisbrook Stadium hosts round 5 of Super X this Saturday.

Returning home following a lacklustre showing in Auckland, riders wasted little time in returning to their rigorous training routines.

Open class rider Todd Waters rued missed opportunities last weekend when he was hindered by average starts and the shorter race format.

Sitting sixth in the championship, he feels the Double Header format in Dunedin will allow him to make back lost ground.

"I really think these longer races will suit me better," said Waters. "In Auckland my starts weren''t great and the one-line track made passing and getting back through the pack very difficult.

"I''ve spent most of the week riding and getting my starts sorted. I also had the chance to spend a day riding with Josh Hansen (Super X points leader) and was able to pace myself and get a measure for how I was riding against him.

"I''m feeling much better and more relaxed about this format, I know I can ride a consistent race over a 12-lap duration and have the fitness to match the pace of any of the guys out there."

Waters is sixth in the race for Open class honours, 10 points behind fellow Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor racer Daniel Reardon who maintained his top 5 standing despite a tough night in Auckland.

Lites rider Kade Mosig is eager to claw his way back in to the top 10 and has been working hard this week to give himself every chance.

"I went home looking to put the disappointment of last week behind me," said Mosig. "I’ve had three days of solid riding and I’ve been mixing it up and trying a few different things with my trainer. I’m trying to keep it fresh and I’m really pushing myself.

"Obviously I’ve had a quite bit of bad luck, but I also believe you make your own luck so I’ve been working hard on my starts. I know I’ve got good speed but I if I can get a good start, then the rest will fall into place nicely.

"I honestly think the double-header race format is great because the ten laps give you a bit more time."

After Auckland, Mosig was placed 12th on the standings but a close concentration of riders in the latter half of the top 10 means he can make significant inroads with a good result this weekend.

Lites riders will contest two 10-lap races in the Double Header final, 2 laps shorter per race than the Open class.

Super X Open Championship Points

1. Josh HANSEN (USA), 225?
2. Jay MARMONT (NSW), 193?
3. Jake MOSS (NSW), 152
4. Tye SIMMONDS (NSW), 149
5. Daniel REARDON (QLD), 138 - Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing?
6. Todd WATERS (QLD), 128 - Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing?
7. Daniel McCOY (NSW), 127?
8. Justin BRAYTON (USA), 121?
9. Lewis WOODS (VIC), 107
10. Mike ALESSI (USA), 107

Super X Lites Championship Points

1. P J LARSEN (USA), 210
2. Matt MOSS (NSW), 201?
3. Ryan MARMONT (NSW), 176?
4. Cody MACKIE (NSW), 136?
5. Lawson BOPPING (ACT), 130?
6. Steven CLARK (UK), 111?
7. Josh CACHIA (VIC), 110
8. Ford DALE (QLD), 105?
9. Luke STYKE (NSW), 103
10. Robbie MARSHALL (QLD), 102

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