Lamont finished overall runner-up to Cooper after the regulation three MX1 class races on Sunday - Cooper finishing 1-2-1 in the three outings and Lamont 2-1-2. But, then came the quick fire, knockout feature races, a whittling back process that eventually left Lamont, Cooper and Te Puke's Dion Steiner to race the final winner takes all one-lap shootout.
When Cooper crashed out in the first turn of that final showdown, it became a two-man race and Lamont was simply too swift for Steiner, winning the race comfortably. He took the shootout honours to win the MX1 class outright, ending the day two points clear of Cooper and a whopping 24 points clear of eventual MX1 class third-ranked man Groombridge.
"I showed lots of speed all day and that's despite the fact that I'm still getting used to the new bike," Lamont said.
"It's a couple of months now before the nationals begin and, with a little more time riding this bike, I think I can only get better."
Altherm JCR Yamaha racing Team boss Josh Coppins was also pleased with Lamont's performance.
"Kayne seems to be in a good head-space right now," said Motueka's Coppins, a former world motocross No.2.
"There are a couple of areas we need to improve upon, but, he's off to a pretty good start to the season. He's only had four or five rides on the new bike, but I'm happy to say he's already got the speed to win on it. Kayne always goes well here at Taupo, but so too does Cody. It was a good result for Kayne.
"It was a bad end to the day for [Lamont's MX2 class team-mate, also from Mangakino] Maximus Purvis, with him crashing out of the last MX2 race. But, before that unfortunate incident, he was also showing great speed."
Kiwi international Josiah Natzke finished 1-2-2 and eventually won the MX2 class overall and, despite finishing runner-up in the first of three MX2 class races and then winning the second race of the day, Purvis' race three mishap and subsequent non-finish meant he dropped back to seventh overall for the class.
"Luckily, Maximus wasn't too badly injured but he might need a week or two off now. It's early in the season and I'm pleased that we have such a good foundation to build on." Coppins said.
Major events coming up for Lamont and Purvis include the annual Whakatane Summercross after Christmas and the annual New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville in late January. The four-round nationals follow in February and March.