Inside Dirt - Issue 20: MX Nationals Round 6

CHECK POINT HALF WAY THERE

RIDERS TIPS NAVIGATE THE LONG SEASON

pg. 66

pg. 18

INDUSTRY INSIDER YOU DON’T NEED YOUR ACL

PLUG CHOP CHATTING WITH DEAN FERRIS

pg. 60

pg. 32

JED BEATON GAINS CONTROLL OF THE RED PLATE IN MX2 After a dominating performance at broadford and some bad luck from our early series leader Caleb Ward, Jed Beaton has grabbed the red plate with no sign of letting it go. Can he go all the way? pg. 110

JUNE ACHIEVEMENTS

FERRIS SHINES AT AMA

MILNER DOMINATES AORC

DESERT KINGS AFTER AFTERAA 30 30YEAR YEAR DROUGHT DROUGHTYAMAHA YAMAHA HAVE HAVE FINALLY FINALLYWON WONTHE THEANNUAL ANNUALTATTS TATTS FINKE FINKE DESERT DESERT RACE. PAGE48 48 RACE.THE THE DOMINANCE DOMINANCE SPANNED SPANNEDACROSS ACROSS 33 CLASSES; CLASSES; MC, MC,SUPERLITE SUPERLITEAAAND ANDATV..

ATV..PAGE

ROUND 6 NOWRA

MX NATIONALS

ISSUE 20 28.6.2017

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Ride with #teampirelli.

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MAGIC MOMENT

DEAN FERRIS The man to beat so far in the MX1 class, Dean Ferris only dropped two races going into the half way point of the season. Ferris took his skills to USA in the break, claiming a second place finish against the best riders in the world in the opening moto at High Point AMA National. Ferris will be hot property at the end of the season, getting attention from teams around the world.

FLIP YOUR PHONE HORIZONTAL TO VIEW THE FULL IMAGE

BRETT METCALFE It was the final straw for riders at Murray Bridge, after the weather wreaked havoc on riders in the second MX1 moto. Brett Metcalfe was one of the riders forced to remove his googles and drop postions with his goggles malfuctioning near the end of the race, left cleaning dirt out of his eyes after claiming a podium finish.

FLIP YOUR PHONE HORIZONTAL TO VIEW THE FULL IMAGE

Welcome back to Inside Dirt!

It’s been a few weeks since our last issue, but thankfully we have had plenty to keep motorcycling enthusiasts occupied and we’ll be covering it all in our latest edition.

After what was an epic round of the Motul MX Nationals at Murray Bridge prior to the mid-season break, we’ve had Finke, more Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship rounds, and now we’re about to head to Nowra for the first event of the second half of the season.

With that said, we have also seen the Motul MX Nationals defending champ Dean Ferris head over to the U.S to compete at a round of their outdoors.

Not only did Ferris prove that he can run with the best in the world, but he achieved a podium race finish putting Aussie MX on the international radar – so we caught up with him to chat all things racing.

As well as pieces from our regular contributors, we will also look at the season so far, and break down some of the pivotal moments that has made the Motul MX Nationals so epic this year.

So if you’re down for more than 100 pages of Motocross, Off-Road and Desert Racing content, get reading, because the latest issue of Inside Dirt is bursting at the seams.

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WHATS INSIDE 12

Behind the Gate

18

Riders Tips

26

What’s Trending

32

MW Plug Chop - Dean Ferris

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MotoOnline Race Recap - MX2

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Yamaha the Desert Kings

60

You don’t need an ACL

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Check Point - Half way there

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GoPro Gallery

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International Spice

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Product Spotlight - Link Int.

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Raceline Holeshot

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Round 6 Schedule

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Round 5 Recaps

128 Thor Off Track Gallery 134 Team Profiles and PR 159 AORC Rd6 Recap - Renmark

ID ISSUE #20

RIDERS TIPS Tips to navagate the motocross season Page 18

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DESERT KINGS Yamaha breaks 30 year drought after winning the annual Finke desert race Page 48

40 MW PLUG CHOP WITH DEAN FERRIS We sit down and chat with Brett Metcalfe about his return to racing on Aussie soil!

Page 32

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YOU DO NOT NEED AN ACL The latest industry insight talks about a common knee injury and how to over come it Page 60

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THE SERIES THIS FAR As we move into the second half of the season take a look back at the first 5 rounds.

Page 66

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BEHIND THE GATES We are now officially half way through the season, and what a season it’s been so far!

The mid-season break has given all of us some time to reset, recharge, and get ready for the final five rounds, and with Nowra kicking off the charge home this weekend we’re well and truly ready to get back at it.

Over the last five weeks we’ve managed to do plenty of preparing for the rest of the series, but we’ve also managed to squeeze in an event that has been on my family’s bucket list for as long as we can remember – FINKE.

This year we decided that it was

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time to get Finke done, and myself and the family all headed to the race in the centre of Australia for a weekend of a lifetime.

As an event promoter it was so nice to switch off and enjoy a weekend of racing for what it is – no official responsibilities, just another family putting everything they can in to the sport we love.

This year both my boys Jake and Aiden represented Yamaha in a buggy and not only did they get from Alice to Finke and back again safely in one piece, but they got the win in their class which exceeded all of our expectations. It was my first time at the iconic event and it was well run, very organised, and most

IMAGE COURTESY OF - JEFF KARDAS (RACERX ONLINE)

of all it ticked all of the boxes in terms of a bucket list race. Finke started out as a event that we thought we would do once in our lifetime, but after the boys won their class, and seeing what an awesome weekend it was, I’m pleased to say that we will be back again in the future, and I would highly recommend those thinking about participating or spectating to absolutely make it happen!

Aside from what I personally got up to during the break, it was very exciting to see what Dean Ferris achieved during the five weeks away from racing on the domestic scene.

“Not only did the CDR Yamaha rider show why he’s Australia’s defending champion, he raced to an impressive second place in race one at High Point” _________

DEAN FERRIS COMPETING IN THE AMA OUTDOOR MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

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At Murray Bridge Dean shared his intentions to head over to the U.S and make an appearance at a round of their outdoor championship.

With Dean currently leading the Thor MX1 Championship here at home, many wondered why he would be willing to risk getting injured, or why he would possibly put on a cautious performance and not be able to show the world just what he’s capable of. However, Ferris proved everyone wrong. Not only did the CDR Yamaha rider show why he’s Australia’s defending champion, he raced to an impressive second place in race one at High Point, and then came back from

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a crash in the start of moto two to finish in an outstanding seventh overall against arguably the best riders in the world.

With Dean’s performance in America, he put not only himself back on the international radar but showcased the depth of talent here in Australia. The world is watching what we do, and we’re very excited for Dean and his family for what the future holds.

Now, lets talk about racing here down under!

As we embark on the next chapter of this year’s championship, things are about to heat up and we are now reaching the pointy end of this year’s series. For the Pirelli MXD Class we only

have three rounds remaining. This year the development category will wrap up their title chase at Port Macquarie which will not only give us two rounds this year of crowning champions, but it will also allow some of the youngsters of our series to receive wildcard entries into the Motul MX2 category at both Toowoomba and Coolum.

For the Motul MX2 guys, the title is well and truly up for grabs. Currently DPH Motorsport’s Wilson Todd leads the championship by a slim six points from Serco Yamaha rookie Mitchell Evans, while Iron Man Hamish Harwood currently sits in third position. In 2017 the 250cc class has produced some of the best racing we have seen in years. We have had a handful of different race winners, the red plate has switched hands three times and now we are about to head to a track where starts are more important than ever! This class keeps you on the edge of your seats, and I have enjoyed every minute of watching both the young and the old battle it out on track. Plus, if you inject the 2015 MX2 champ Jay Wilson into the equation for the remainder of the season, the last five rounds of this championship is going to keep fans guessing, and the riders looking for an edge every time bikes hit the track.

Finally, the Thor MX1 class. What can we say that hasn’t already been said about current championship leader Dean Ferris? The CDR Yamaha rider has been close to unbeatable this year and the real question is whether or not anyone can take race wins away from the defending champ. One rider who has been not far off

the pace is 2015 MX1 Champ Kirk Gibbs, and if there’s one thing we know about the Factory KTM rider it’s that he never gives up, and when the chips are down Gibbsy fights harder than ever. Then, if you throw the energetic youngsters like Luke Clout and Nathan Crawford into the equation and we have one seriously talented class on our hands. Ferris currently leads the way by an impressive 48 points so there is more than a moto in it at present, but one thing I’ve seen time and time again during my time at the helm it’s that anything can happen when it comes to racing.

So here we are about to launch into the second half. Watch this space, the Motul MX Nationals is about to begin the final run home, and if we’re going by what we’ve seen so far this year, the last five rounds will produce the most epic racing of the season.

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be told

There is simply no guaranteed formula for winning, and more riders will fail than those who succeed. But where passion and dedication exist, there’s no stopping man’s everlasting desire to win. Inside The Nationals illustrates how the 2017 Motul MX Nationals championship will be earned through thousands of hours in the gym, on the track and in the mind of one racer who leaves nothing on the table.

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RIDER TIPS TIPS TO AID RIDERS INTO NAVIGATING THEIR WAY THROUGH A SEASON AT THE MX NATIONALS The second half of the MX Nationals series can always provide some interesting changes in results and late season charges to the championship crowns. Just take a look at Dean Ferris in 2016, who came back from a DNF and big points deficit before the break to end up claiming the championship in Thor MX1 at the final moto.

So how exactly can a simple three to four week break signal such changes in a rider’s mindset, confidence and performance? Well to start off with we need to break down what a rider and his team can work on over the break period.

Let’s outline the major points below;

Story By: Joe Stevens

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CONFIDENCE Confidence is key to any athlete’s performance in professional sport. In motocross, “the feeling” riders always talk about chasing at that elite level, well that’s a mixture of confidence in themselves and their machinery / team. In the preseason every rider believes they can be competitive to the very best of their abilities and have envisioned their wins, podiums, top ten results etc long before the first round has even taken place. If the first few rounds go to plan, confidence breeds more confidence that everything in their program is working and before you know it momentum has kicked in and you are knocking off positive rounds every weekend exceeding your own expectations and often those around you. The flip side of this confidence game?

Well, if the first few rounds go badly for a rider, confidence begins to slowly disappear and regardless of how much a rider tells himself during the week that he is the man and can win, podium or achieve whatever his goals are; If the weekend results are smashing that goal further and further out of sight then it is inevitable that eventually the belief in your ability to perform is going to be damaged. What the mid-season break allows riders to do is refocus, process all of the information from the first five rounds and formulate a more realistic plan for the remainder of the season. Whether it be improving starts, intensity, cornering etc, a rider has time to work on this whilst being away from the grind of travelling and racing. Often with less pressure and the fun starting to come back into his or her program, you’ll see many riders looking happy and rejuvenated to be back behind the line at round six every year.

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“Whether it be improving starts, intensity, cornering etc, a rider has time to work on this whilst being away from the grind of travelling and racing.�

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“...behind the glitz and glamour of being a professional racer is countless hours of travelling, late nights and early mornings, injury rehabilitation, training and countless laps.�

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BIKE SET-UP Bike set up is something you will hear riders often refer to as a major attribute to their success or failure on race day. Realistically you very rarely hear riders who are winning complaining about their set up. So the rest of the field and their teams have a lot of work to do to achieve a level of comfort their riders are chasing to be competitive over the second half of the season. In the preseason teams test and achieve base settings, however once the racing starts it is only then that a riders set up can be tested on the rough and demanding MX Nationals race tracks. Just as it is hard to simulate race day intensity for a rider during the week doing his motos, it is similarly difficult for suspension and motor technicians to simulate race conditions on the test track to find the best settings for a rider. Five rounds of data and feedback before the break means the mid-season testing and changes far easier to achieve and hit the mark the rider is looking for as the team know what direction they need to be moving in regards to the changes. Once a rider feels his equipment is where he needs it, the confidence and feeling that he was missing over the first five rounds can come back very quickly and that’s why a lot of riders will be brimming with confidence and speed we have not seen so far in the season at Nowra this weekend for round 6.

TRAVEL I mentioned the grind of travelling and racing every weekend above and to fans of the sport this may seem a little strange to consider a perhaps dream job as a “grind�. But believe me, behind the glitz and glamour of being a professional racer is countless hours of travelling, late nights and early mornings, injury rehabilitation, training and countless laps. A break in the series can make all of the above far easier to achieve with a

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fresh mindset and a few weeks at home sleeping in your own bed. In a sport as mentally and physically demanding as Motocross, momentum and confidence are key to good results. With time to press reset of 2017, many riders will have a fresh outlook on the last five rounds and often with a point to prove, will want to go out with a bang to secure good contract negotiations for 2018 that will be starting very soon.

With all of this in mind keep an eye out for who comes out swinging at Nowra for round 6 and those will be the riders who effectively managed and took advantage of the off season break.

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C O

A C H I N G

WITH JOE STEVENS AND #TEAMMAD PRIVATE TUITION AND GROUP COACHING / SCHOOL HOLIDAY CAMPS. ALL LEVELS OF RIDERS CATERED FOR: PRO RACERS TO BEGINNER RIDERS. CONTACT JOE STEVENS P: 0404059168 E: JOE@MADSPTC.COM

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what’s

TRENDING

FERRIS FINISHES HIGH POINT ON A HIGH NOTE How about Dean Ferris? To lead a national and finish on the podium during your first attempt is no joke regardless of the resume. Hats off for the effort and visit.

Source: http://motocross.transworld.net

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KAWASAKI DRAFTS METCALFE IN FOR REMAINING MX NATIONALS ROUNDS The MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team will add highlyrated MX1 international Brett Metcalfe to their rider roster for the remaining five rounds of the 2017 Motul MX Nationals series.

Source: motoonline.com.au

Back injury sidelines Australia’s Lawrence for Ottobiano MXGP Hunter Lawrence has been ruled out of this weekend’s 11th round of the 2017 MX2 World Championship in Italy after sustaining a compressed vertebrae while racing in Germany.

Source: motoonline.com.au SUZUKI’S WILSON RULES OUT MX NATIONALS SECOND-HALF RETURN Wilson Coolair Motul Suzuki’s Luke Wilson has confirmed he will not return for the remaining five rounds of 2017 Motul MX Nationals competition after exiting the series at Appin’s second round.

Source: http://motoonline.com.au

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FIRST LOOK: 2018 KAWASAKI MX MODELS We get our first look at the 2018 models from the Japanese manufacturer, Kawasaki. Overhauled back in 2016, the new 2018 KX450F carries over the componentry and design features from its predecessor with no major upgrades this year.

The 2018 KX250F, however, features an updated engine and suspension settings to complement the previously revamped 2017 machine.

Source: transmoto.com.au RHYS BUDD – AUSSIE TAKING ON THE USA Head over and check out this interview with Australias own, Rhys Budd who is competing at the Mammoth Motocross race.

Source: dirtaction.com.au

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TA R G E T D E A N F E R R I S Dean Ferris. He’s only dropped only two out of an incredible ten races so far this season, and recently made a one-off appearance at the AMA Pro Motocross Championship at High Point where he raced to an outstanding podium race finish.

On the surface he seems like a guy who’s worked out every piece of the racing puzzle, and judging by what he’s achieved in 2017 its only upwards from here.

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DF1 Following his return to Australia this week, we checked in with the Motul MX Nationals defending champ to talk about how his goals have changed, the competitiveness of his CDR Yamaha machine, and what exactly he’s changed to make himself known as the fastest and most consistent motocross rider in the country at present.

what I thought I could do in case it didn’t happen. I thought I would be towards the front – obviously Baggett and Tomac have got tons of speed but I sort of knew I would be there with the rest of the guys anyway.

How did the podium finish in moto one at High Point rate for you in terms of what else you’ve achieved throughout your career?

It’s up there. The MXON in 2013 was special, MXON last year was a pretty good performance, also my Belgian Grand Prix win, and then also winning the title last year and we’ve had a lot of good races this year, but it’s definitely up there.

You’ve just returned from the U.S after putting in arguably one of the greatest performances by Aussie in history, was the trip what you expected?

It was what I expected I think. I wasn’t really sure where I was going to finish but I had hoped that I would be towards the front. I just needed a good start, and a good 35 minutes and I just rode how Obviously you’re hoping that something I normally would and I got a second in would come from your performance moto one. over there, have you been in discussions with any teams since High Point?

You’ve now proven that you can race at I haven’t been in any discussions as yet. the top level in the U.S and run with the I kind of just got settled in for a few days fastest outdoor riders in the world, were back here before I even started to think you confident that you could podium about that. For the moment I’ve just put when you headed over? my head down and I’m working towards It was sort of a ‘lets just see what happens’. Nowra. Obviously over the coming weeks, I didn’t really have a podium expectation, I I’ll try to see what’s available or maybe kind of thought I would be around that top lock something down if there’s a good five, but I just didn’t really want to voice opportunity 34

The trip has sparked conversation about the competitiveness of your CDR Yamaha, is the CDR Yamaha the best piece of machinery you’ve ever worked with?

Yeah I could easily say that. Especially this year we made a lot of improvements in the off-season, just knowing the bike and spending a whole year on it. We thought about how we wanted to improve it and we did. So it’s definitely made it more competitive at a higher level and we proved that at High Point.

What do you think has made you so unbeatable this year?

Well hopefully I keep the results going that way (laughs) but I just have a really solid foundation now I’d say. Coming back to Australia I really wanted to rebuild myself, I have a really good relationship

with my family, my girlfriend, my team and everything I do is just to strive to be better and to be the best I can. I put in a lot of work, I had a good off-season and I’ve had a few good years behind me. I’m fit and strong and I know what I want in a bike. I think it’s just a good structure in my whole program is what’s worked for me.

What’s changed in terms of your goals?

You initially indicated that you wanted to return to Europe, but it seems as if America might be on the cards for you now?

I was kind of open to go back to America or Europe. Just at the moment America seems more feasible. There’s a lot of really good riders in Europe and not enough rides and I feel like in America there might be a bit more opportunity and also something about it just seems 35

appealing right now. I just wanted to go there and see where I was at, and then make a call on where I want to go – at the moment I’m shooting for America.

You initially signed a motocross only deal with CDR Yamaha for this year, however it was recently announced that you will stay on for Supercross, what was the reason behind that?

I hadn’t actually really thought about it this year at all, and Craig (Dack) was getting to the point where he needed to make a decision on a second rider for Supercross. I thought about it overnight and I really wanted to do it. I was actually down in Torquay and I walked into Craig’s office and we negotiated and it ended up being an easy decision when I sat down and thought about it. I really enjoyed Supercross last year and actually one of the reasons why I didn’t sign for Supercross initially last year is because I didn’t want to not like it. In the past I haven’t enjoyed it and I’ve signed and had to race it and not really wanted to do it, but that wasn’t the case last year – I had a lot of fun and I think I’m going to enjoy it this year so that’s why I signed.

Do you have plans to compete in any more one off races before the year is out?

I’d like to race the Motocross of Nations of course. That’s the only other race that I’ve sort of planned into my schedule. I’ve committed to Supercross and I’ve done New Zealand and some state level races

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here and there, but they’re all done now – they paid dividends really. I got the ball rolling early in the season and got in shape and I feel like that extra racing that I did has helped me. From now on though it’s just MX Nationals, hopefully Motocross of Nations and Supercross.

You’re not long off becoming a dad, how are you feeling about juggling family life and racing?

I’m really excited about it. Our bub is due at the end of Motocross and it’s actually really good timing, I’ve got that four or five week break between when Supercross starts where we can get in a bit of a routine and just enjoy dad life for a little bit. I’ve got an amazing partner and she and I are going to make it all work.

So obviously the goal for you on the home front is to try to win the championship this year, but what else have you got your eyes on?

I’d like to shoot for the stars and go overseas, the plan is still to try and win a title there. It doesn’t sound so crazy now after my result at the AMA at High Point and anywhere or wherever I go I want to win. Especially after coming home and doing a fair bit of winning. And that was the plan for me, to come home and get some wins. The Grand Prix’s were tough and I didn’t get that taste enough I don’t think. Coming back, it’s given me that extra taste for winning again and something to strive for, rather than beating around the bush in the top ten at the Grand Prix’s.

Thanks for the chat Dean, and good luck for the rest of the season.

No problems, thank you

MW

xx

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RACE RECAP

HAMISH HARWOOD It was an action-packed day in South Australia for Murray Bridge’s fifth round of the 2017 Motul MX Nationals series, where Hamish Harwood came out on top in MX2. Harwood rode his Davey Motorsports KTM 250 SX to the front of the field to claim a career-first overall win using a 1-3 score.

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Hamish Harwood, this time on the podium it’s the top step here at Murray Bridge. It must feel really good to get the overall in MX2?

Yeah for sure, it definitely does, first overall I’ve got and I’m just really happy about it. I’ve been putting in the hard work and it’s been paying off. For the last two rounds that I’ve been on the podium, we’ve made a few changes with a bit of setup, a few changes to the bike and what we’ve been doing. It seems to have paid off, so we’ll keep it the same for the second-half of the series and hopefully we can be back on the box.

It’s the type of form we’re used to seeing you in New Zealand with, so is it a case of converting it over here? We’ve obviously seen you up front here plenty of times before, but it just looks like it’s all coming together.

Yeah for sure, it is very different from racing in New Zealand to Australia.

Obviously racing at home you have everything at your fingertips, everything is prepared and set up, it’s so easy and you’re familiar with everything. When we come over here, we fly in Saturday morning and we have to be up at 3am on Saturday morning to fly over. Then we’re frantically trying to get the bike ready for the race day, we just don’t really have much time to settle in. It definitely makes it tough, but we’ve managed to get it done and we’re really happy.

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Pretty special result for the Davey Motorsport team as well with both of you guys on the podium?

Yeah for sure, they are a unique team, it’s more like a family than a team.

Everyone just wants to help out and they’ll drop anything to do anything for you, I just can’t thank them enough. They’re an awesome group of people and just really happy that we’ve been in touch with them and managed to ride for them for the last couple of years. With the help of KTM Australia and KTM New Zealand getting me over here, my mechanic sacrificing a lot of weekends to come racing with me, there’s just so many people to thank.

You’ve climbed up to third in the championship now, considering you’re sort of getting there in the frame for the points, will you keep doing MX1 and MX2?

Yeah I think I will, I don’t see why not. I don’t usually fatigue until that last MX1 race and that’s when I feel it, but before then I’m usually pretty good. But the points are really close, there’s only one-point in it between three of us for third overall, so yeah it is real tight. Now we’re looking at the championship, but for us we want to take it race-by-race and just do the best we can.

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No worries, well done!

Thank you very much.

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UPCOMING ROUNDS

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ROUND 7 - SHEPPARTON

ROUND 6 - NOWRA It’s go time for Round 6, and riders will be returning from the mid year break refreshed and ready to fight for the championship.

In the heart of the Goulburn Valley right next to the town of Shepparton, this circuit is in the perfect position to play host to the Motul MX Nationals

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ROUND 8 - PORT MACQUARIE

ROUND 9 - TOOWOOMBA

It’s time for the MX Nationals to head back up to New South Wales for Round 8 at Port Macquarie.

Spectators who position themselves at the bottom of Echo Valley will have their minds blown by the cinematic views that only Toowoomba has on offer

VIEW THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO

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YMA10866_DesertKings_DPS_DA_curves.indd 2-3

16/06/2017 4:52 pm

YAMAHA BREAKS 30 YEAR DROUGHT WITH FINKE VICTORIES STOKIE STAMPS HIS NAME IN FINKE HISTORY Active8 Yamalube Yamaha’s Daymon Stokie has won a dramatic 2017 Finke Desert race, held in remote desert in the Northern Territory. In four hours and 11 minutes, Stokie etched his name in the record books with an historic win, Yamaha’s first since 1986 when Stephen Gall claimed victory.

The event started well for Stokie, a resident of Alice Springs, when he posted the second best time in the prologue giving a great starting position for the trek down to Finke on day one.

Despite carrying a hand injury from a previous endurance event, Stokie gritted his teeth and manned up in the 50

countries toughest race to reach Finke in second place and five minutes behind leader, David Walsh.

With a nights rest and a quick going over of the bike, Stokie was back in the saddle for the return run and out to close down the lead Walsh had. But just as the riders neared the first check point of the return leg, Walsh was stranded trackside and Stolkie inherited the lead. But with a hand swelling by the minute and still over 90 minutes of racing left, the 2017 Finke race winner was far from settled.

The dry conditions made the going challenging but Stokie stuck to his guns and continued to ride at speed with his

grip on the bike weakening as the event wore on. His rivals started to close in but the North Territory native was determined to close the race out a winner and charged all the way to the finish line.

He stopped the clock at 4 hours 11 minutes, to take a narrow threeminute victory over Ivan Long in second and Luke Hayes in third, with just 30 seconds separating the minor placings.

The Active8 Yamalube Yamaha team embraced as they celebrated the win in what has been a long and challenging campaign.

“It’s been an unbelievable couple of days,” exclaims Stokie moments after he crossed the finish line. “The lead up to the event has been tough

on the team with Beau Ralston hurting himself and then Josh Green having to pull out yesterday so it was a huge relief to get the win and reward the team for a massive effort.

“I knew catching David was a tough ask but sometimes things go your way and we got a little lucky with that but that’s the way it goes at Finke, it just isn’t an easy race to win.

“A huge thank you to everyone at Yamaha and the Active8 Yamaha team for their support and belief in my this year. I was bought in for events like this so it is an awesome feeling to do exactly as we set out to do.

“The WR500F was perfect from start to finish and the team did a great job with testing and the bike. Also, thank you to my friends and family who 51

“It is a race that just punishes your mind, body and bike and to win it takes a lot of heart, courage and support from a lot of people” continue to support me each and every year and it’s great to have them all here with me on such a successful weekend,” Stokie ends.

As mentioned, the news wasn’t as good for team mate, Josh Green, who had to withdraw from the event during the final stages of day one. Green started the event exceptionally well and had moved into a podium position when he had a mechanical issue that forced him out of the race.

“It can be an emotionally challenging race here at Finke as it requires so much effort to be able to compete at this level, on this sort of terrain so to not be able to finish is heartbreaking for myself and the team,” Green explains.

“The Active8 Yamaha team put in so much effort for this race so we are all naturally disappointed not to get the result we both wanted or expected.

“But it’s awesome that Daymon was able to fly the team flag and get the job done for us. Congratulations to him and he deserved this win as it has been a long time coming for him,” Green said.

The Finke Desert Race is a gruelling event that is fast, frightening and not for the faint hearted. Competitors unleash 52

their high horse-powered machines down the 200kilometre journey from Alice Springs to Finke in just under two hours before returning to Alice Springs the following day. Riders hit speeds over 170 kilometres per hour as they skim across the dry desert and rolling sand whoops that are just waiting to catch out unsuspecting riders.

It has the well-earned reputation of being the hardest event in the off-road calendar and its profile continues to grow as riders and teams try to conquer the old railway track that runs between Alice Springs and Finke.

“I have been to Finke a lot of times and it’s nice to finally win one,” states Active8 Yamaha manager, AJ Roberts.

“It is a race that just punishes your mind, body and bike and to win it takes a lot of heart, courage and support from a lot of people. “ To see Daymon hit the finish line first and take the race win was a great moment for everyone involved with the team, from Ray and Kevin back at Yamaha in Brisbane, to the guys we have out here who haven’t had much sleep over the past week.

“We are pumped and will celebrate this one long and hard tonight,” AJ ends.

53

THE YAMAHA DOMINATION CONTINUED...

Not only did Yamaha claim the top spot in the motorcycle division with Daymon Stokie winning the prestigious off road event, Yamaha also did exceptionally well in other racing categories contested over the weekend in a strong showing for Yamaha racing in the great Australian outback.

Yamaha and the YXZ1000R dominated the Under 1200cc UTV division taking the top five positions in a complete sweep of the class, while it was an all blue podium in the ATV section with Yamaha mounted riders taking the top three positions.

54

The Yamaha Motor Australia/ WPS team of Jake and Aiden Williams took the race win after an eventful two days out in the Northern Territory wilderness. On day one, the boys had some difficulties and made to Finke in fifth place but were confident of a better showing on the return run back to Alice Springs the following day.

And that’s exactly what happened.

The brothers unleashed a blistering return time to not only make up the 14-minute deficit from day one but blast their way into the lead and take the race win by just over a minute in an amazing comeback drive from the Williams brothers.

“That was insane,” said Jake Williams as he climbs out behind the steering wheel of the YXZ1000R. “I knew we had a big gap to make up and we just went for it thinking we had nothing to lose. We started passing a couple of people and then we hit the lead and we are just pumped to bring it home.

“The YXZ1000R was unreal to drive and we gave it heaps over the past couple of days.

“Thank you to everyone in the Yamaha Motor Australia/ WPS team, my brother Aiden and all our friends and family that came out to support us. We have had an awesome time,” Williams ends.

Taking second place was fellow YXZ team of Bryce Washington and Garry Connell. The team put in a huge

effort and if not for the heroics of the Williams team on the final day, they would have claimed victory in the class.

Third place was another family affair with Bailey Motorsport with Roydn and Hannah Bailey at the controls. The duo put in a consistent two days of driving to snatch the final podium spot.

Just behind them were Daniel Mackenzie and Garth Hannaford who steamed home on day two to come up just 17 seconds short of the podium after six hours of racing. Taking fifth was Kaos racing with Damien Nash, Alex Turner and Wayne Gailes behind the wheel and locking Yamaha in as the top five UTV’s in class.

55

The ATV division shared a similar dominance and this time, the dominance was shared between the Yamaha YFZ450R and the Van Vliet Brothers in a top podium sweep.

Mitchell Van Vliet took the race win and led from start to finish. He cleared out to a comfortable gap on the run down to Finke and then continued to pile on the pressure on the return run to take the victory, seven minutes clear of his brother, Jake.

Jake then held a 20 minute margin back to Cooper Van Vliet who took third.

So, it was a Van Vliet/ Yamaha YFZ450R podium sweep and with Mitchell holding the bragging rights until the brothers line up again in next years’ event.

“It is cool to take the race win at such a prestigious event but even better when you share the entire podium with your brothers,” Mitchell declares.

“Things went pretty smoothly for all of us, 56

possible the best issue was dealing with the dust but that’s how it is when you race in the desert.

“Thank you to Yamaha and all our team sponsors and supporters. It’s been a huge week up here and its great the whole family achieved some success,” he ends.

The Finke Desert race is a long standing and high profile event that sees competitors on bikes, ATVs and Buggy’s charge down a 200-kilometre course that runs between Alice Springs and the small outback town of Finke.

After a freshen up, the charge is back on to return to Alice Springs. The fastest bikes take around four hours to complete the course and reach speeds of 170 kilometres an hour while the ATV’s and UTV take around six hours.

It is a tough and challenging race on the riders, drivers and machinery and definitely not for the faint hearted.

Jake and Aiden Williams on their way to Finke victory.

Congratulations to all our bLU cRU Finke rulers in the Red Centre!

Daymon Stokie MC Overall Winner WR450F

Jake and Aiden Williams Superlite A Class Winners YXZ1000R Yamaha 1-2-3-4-5

Mitch van Vliet ATV Class Winner YFZ450FR Yamaha 1-2-3

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PENINSULA SPORTS MEDICINE

INJURY INSIDER YOU DO NOT NEED AN ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) to live a normal life or race a motorbike.

Just ask some of the top Australian motocross riders.

Todd Waters (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) ruptured his ACL this year while racing in the New Zealand motocross championship and only realised the following day. Kirk Gibbs (KTM Racing Team) ruptured his mid way through the championship last year, as did Caleb Ward (Husqvarna 8Biano Racing) – just to name a few.

It is common practice in Australia and around the world for athletes to rush off and have a ACL reconstruction without being fully informed of their options. The ACL ligament helps to stabilize the knee especially when we change directions while standing on the leg. It is vital in sports that require rapid change of direction and pivoting such as football and basketball. When it comes to riding a motorbike whether it be trail riding, racing motorcross, supercross, offroad or even fmx at the elite level you don’t need to pivot so you don’t need an ACL.

A common belief is that you will have ongoing issues or the knee will degenerate faster without surgery. This 60

is simply not the case; research shows that long term no there is no difference in quality of life or knee damage, suggesting any long term damage is a result of the initial injury not due to repeated trauma. The main factor that affects the outcome is how strong your leg is, not the type of graft or type of surgery. If you are motivated to do the regular gym strengthening and stability exercises required to maintain muscle. bulk and control, then you will have better long term outcomes. This is regardless of whether you have reconstruction surgery or not.

Another misconception I see regularly even at the national championships is riders believing that riding the bike is enough to strengthen their leg following surgery or injury. To protect an injured area you need to continue to build strength well beyond that required to just ride a bike as you need to be strong enough to handle dabbing the foot, over jumping or tucking the front. It’s not about being strong enough to ride a bike but resilient enough to handle a crash.

“Todd Waters (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) ruptured his ACL this year while racing in the New Zealand motocross championship and only realised the following day.�

Jon Park

Chief Sports Physiotherapist Racesafe Director Peninsula Sports Medicine Group 61

SHORT TERM No Surgery You can generally ride 7-14 days after the injury if required. Ideally a six week period would be preferred to allow the joint to settle and the regain muscle strength and control. Last year Kirk Gibbs raced just 2 weeks after rupturing is ACL at round 6 of mx nationals to keep his chances of back to back championships alive, with a 4,2 result in the mud at Conondale. Caleb Ward in 2015 raced 3 weeks after rupturing his 2nd ACL, that’s right he doesn’t have an ACL in either knee, returning to a 1-1 result at Murray Bridge Mx nationals in 2015. Riders need to understand that an ACL deficient knee will need continued gym based strengthening to maintain strength and limit instability episodes while riding. This should be part of any normal training program even if you haven’t injured your knee. If an instability episode does occur while riding, it is often reported to cause pain for less than a lap or 2.

Surgery There are different types of surgeries all with different reported benefits, however it is important to realize that graft strength is not a factor in re injury muscle strength and control are. No matter which type of surgery you get, 9-12 months of rehabilitation is required prior to racing to reduce risk of re injury back to similar levels as pre rupture. for you to limit the risk of reinjury back to somewhere close to what it was prior to injury you would need. Returning earlier places you at high risk of tearing the graft, or pulling the anchor screw out of your tibia( leg bone) into the knee joint requiring surgery to remove the screw and a bone graft to plug the hole. This has happened to both Blake “Bilko” Williams and more recently Sam Martin. Compare that to a young 15 year old Jack Simpson who took the whole season off, actually almost 14 months, to rehabilitate before returning to racing and hasn’t had any issues since.

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KEY POINTS ▪

1.You do not need an ACL to ride or race a motorbike

LONG TERM Surgery Having the reconstruction may reduce your chance of future meniscal tears but it does not improve long term function anymore than adequate rehabilitation. Nor does it reduce the risk long term of osteoarthritis in the knee. There is occasionally people who do an adequate rehabilitation program, however after 3 months are experiencing intermittent “giving way” episodes during their daily life that I would then recommend to go get the reconstruction. This is rare in the athletic population.

I, with help from others, have also developed over the years a supportive taping specific for ACL injuries that gives you extra security under their knee braces without restricting your movement. This taping makes you feel more stable in the early stage, when riding with swelling still

▪ 2. There is minimal/ no long term benefits of surgery versus an adequate rehabilitation and maintenance gym program.

3. You can get the ACL reconstruction at any point, like the end of the season if it is giving the rider symptoms.

4. It’s not about being strong enough to ride a bike but resilient enough to handle a crash.

63

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HALF WAY THERE CHECK-IN AS WE APPROACH THE HALF WAY MARK

With the ever important Murray Bridge in the books, we yet again find ourselves at a crucial point of the season, of course we are half way there.

Half way into the points, motos and drama of what has been an action packed start to the 2017 Motul MX Nationals. Thus far we have seen more than the share of thrills and spills we expect from racing at the top level, to add to this the championship leaders have traded hand over half a dozen times leaving now only one sentence on riders lips. Bring on Nowra.

So what will the half way point prove, well for our Pirelli MXD riders it signifies only three rounds to go and with

66

such a tight championship the window is open for many. Cody Dyce has held the red plate for most of the season, however Murray Bridge saw the third of our contenders to hold the plate in MXD class Jy Roberts, commonly referred to now as ‘Mr Consistent. Jy, a rookie to the MX Nationals has only 6 more races to clinch his first national title.

This may seem like just around the corner, however anything can happen and that’s what we expect and love to see with the rookies, anything can an often does happen so how will the break affect?

Well for one It means seeing Yamaha backed Cooper pozniak back to

“ Guys like Kyle Webster, Jayden Rykers, Dylan Wills and Aaron Tanti I expect to see a number of not only podiums but challenging the top guys for a win...

67

full strength and full speed. The style cat Pozniak came into the season with huge hype around him. The hype was backed up at the first two rounds however he saw minor injury at Conondale. I myself can’t wait to see the second half charge, this is something we can expect to see amongst all of our rookie class, if we consider the championship to be a 30 min moto well the initial sprint is over, the consistent laps are over and for riders now comes the sprint to the finish.

All riders come into the season being told similar thing. You can’t win the championship here but you can 68

certainly lose it. Well that element is gone and now you need to twist it south to win it.

The same goes for both the Motul MX2 class and the premier Thor MX1 category. Some have lived up to hype and shown us exactly what we expected, however as contract talks start, a number of riders have fallen below the benchmark so far.

The break should have given all riders another perspective but more so one last chance to regroup to come out swinging.

Guys like Kyle Webster, Jayden Rykers, Dylan wills and Aaron Tanti I expect to see a number of not only podiums but challenging the top guys for a win, now is the time to show you belong at the front of the field in the chance to stop the Yamaha surge between Wilson Todd and Mitchell Evans. Speaking with Rykers only a few days ago, he has made clear that he is ready to do battle. Picked as a championship hopeful, Jayden said “It’s the starts that’s been killing me, both my riding and fitness are fine but can’t expect a win starting in 20th”. He continued to say “The break is just what was needed, stuff was all over the place for the first five rounds, but now I’m much more settled, I’m ready”.

It’s for that very reason I see him and other guys in the Motul MX2 class stepping up. For those who can really use the break to there advantage, have the abiity to at times come out and completely flip the championship upside

“Gibbs is the man to me with a point to prove and would confidently say is still the biggest threat to Ferris’s championship...”

down, not so much for the time they may have found at the testing track in weeks past, more so that mental reset button a week off the bike can give you.

That feeling is indeed mutual in the Thor MX1 class with a slightly different question, as it is not only a handful of riders trying to figure out how to get to the top, but the entire class trying to figure out if Dean Ferris is beatable. Murray Bridge was the last time we saw the warriors go head

to head and it did shed some light as for only the second time all year Dean Ferris would have to settle with 1,2 results, still taking the overall but making it more believable that the reigning champ can be beaten.

Kirk Gibbs and Brett Metcalfe ran Ferris’s pace all day long. But Gibbs is the man to me with a point to prove and would confidently say is still the biggest threat to Ferris’s championship as he is the only other rider to have won motos this year.

69

The other man who may not be on radar yet but certainly could be, is none other the Crankt Protein Factory Honda rider Luke Clout. Now I’m sure alot of people will be looking at his team mate Todd Waters for big things, but take a couple of mechanicals and bad starts and it’s Clouty who is the guy to beat. Stepping up off the 250 machine with his return home to Australia, and for me he has to be the stand out of the year.

The man who needs to do more in the Thor MX1 class is undoubtably Kyle Peters. The American import has shown more then enough fitness grit and raw speed to take moto wins but has struggled for the first half of the season. While picking up Kyle from the airport recently I asked what is

70

different? He said the body is ready but more so the mind is ready. We all saw the start to Kyle’s year and a few fluster moments appeared to have rattled the cage of the young American but not now, now he is ready to win.

Add into this discussion guys like Nathan Crawford and Dylan Long back to the mix and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say anything could happen at Nowra.

Can ferris claim a second title?

Can Peters bounce back?

Can clout take his first premier class win?

Time to find out.

Story by: Aiden Williams NRGTV Presenter

THE STATS THOR MX1 1 2 3 4 5

MOTUL MX2

DEAN FERRIS KIRK GIBBS KADE MOSIG TODD WATERS LUKE STYKE

356PTS 308PTS 279PTS 277PTS 262PTS

ROUND PODIUM RIDER DEAN FERRIS KIRK GIBBS KADE MOSIG TODD WATERS LUKE STYKE

1ST 5 -

2ND 2 4 1 -

1ST 8 2 -

WILSON TODD

MITCHELL EVANS HAMISH HARWOOD JACKSON RICHARDSON EGAN MASTIN

311PTS 305PTS 278PTS 278PTS 277PTS

ROUND PODIUM 3RD 1 2 1

RACE TOP 3 RIDER DEAN FERRIS KIRK GIBBS KADE MOSIG TODD WATERS LUKE STYKE

1 2 3 4 5

RIDER WILSON TODD MITCHELL EVANS HAMISH HARWOOD JACKSON RICHARDSON EGAN MASTIN

1ST 2 2 1 -

2ND 1 1 1 2

3RD 1 2 1

2ND 2 2 3 2

3RD 2 1 1 2

RACE TOP 3 2ND 2 3 2 1 -

3RD 2 2 -

RIDER WILSON TODD MITCHELL EVANS HAMISH HARWOOD JACKSON RICHARDSON EGAN MASTIN

1ST 3 4 1 1

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PIRELLI MXD 1 2 3 4 5

JY ROBERTS CODY DYCE MORGAN FOGARTY KALEB BARHAM ISAAC FERGUSON

299PTS 293PTS 259PTS 241PTS 240PTS

ROUND PODIUM RIDER JY ROBERTS CODY DYCE MORGAN FOGARTY KALEB BARHAM ISAAC FERGUSON

1ST 2 1 1 -

2ND 2 2 1 -

3RD 1 1 1

2ND 3 2 1 1

3RD 2 1 4 -

RACE TOP 3 RIDER JY ROBERTS CODY DYCE MORGAN FOGARTY KALEB BARHAM ISAAC FERGUSON

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INTERNATIONAL SPICE

Brodie Williams caught up with some of the international spice that had added some diverse flavour throughout the first five rounds.

Kyle Peters An American riding aboard the Wilsons Coolair Motul Factory Suzuki Team How does this series compare to other series you have competed in?

The series here so far has been awesome, it’s a little bit different to how I’ve always done things back in the states, just with the difference in rules from over home to here, but the tracks have been a lot of fun, a lot different to what I’m use to but I’m stoked I have this opportunity.

80

What’s your favourite thing about Aus? It would have to be the people, everyone has been really great to me over here.

I have been having a lot of fun visiting different places and enjoying every moment, the whole experience has been great so far.

How are the tracks different in Australia compared to the States?

The tracks are a lot different, from the dirt to the riding style of the tracks to the jumps and everything in-between. The dirt here seems to get a lot harder and then the hard pack gets slippery. The nationals back home are real fast real wide open big jumps, where here the tracks are a lot tighter, much more technical, the jumps aren’t near as big and that makes the racing a lot closer.

How do you rate the Australia riders and the level of competition?

The Australian riders have been going really fast, they have all been right there and I believe they’re a threat anywhere they go.

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Robin Scheiben Swiss Privateer rider #65

What has been your favourite thing about Australia so far?

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to see a lot so far as I have only been here 8 days so the motocross tracks hahaha… hopefully after this weekend I will see more of this beautiful country.

How are the tracks different here to back home?

The tracks get really rough and rutty here.

Back home we have a lot harder pack tracks.

How did you find your first round over here Horsham considering it was a very As a privateer, it’s long way to come, I’m wet and muddy weekend? sure there are a few people you’d like to It was definitely very difficult and muddy but I still had a lot of fun. thank?

I would really like to thank Joel Green and his family, Brad from Bradlec Electrical, Rory from Rore Plumbing and Tye from Sit Fix, for making this all happen and all the support they gave me I couldn’t have done it without them.

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MAGIC MOMENT

DYLAN LONG After missing 3 rounds of racing due to a wrist injury, Dylan Long looks to regain momentum in 2017 as he returns to racing at Nowra.

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First they are precisely machined for enhanced power delivery and efficiency, then the Carburizing Heat Treatment is preformed to give them extremely hard teeth for maximum durability.

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groves and finished in Hard Anodizing to give that lasting wear advantage and professional look. The rear sprockets are available in Team Colours or Black.

You guessed it, we haven’t skimped on the chain either, what you’ll get is a quality GOLD RK KZU Series SEALED ‘U’ RING CHAIN which is the ideal choice for the serious rider or racer.

The Chain is a lightweight heavy duty race chain, featuring the ultra-thin ‘U’ ring which allows for improved power transfer via reduced friction. It also has greatly improved heat resistance and anti-abrasion properties.

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MX NATIONALS PROGRAM, RIDER LISTS, PROFILES AND PRESS RELEASES

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No wra, NSW

AK

||

WHO W ILL WI N

DOWN TH G E IN

VE U

B

E

H

D

N

R

S

T IX

UN RO

E NOWRA. It’s go time for Round 6, and riders will be returning from the mid year break refreshed and ready to fight for the championship one round at a time. This round in particular has proved many experts wrong as we have had a few unpredictable race winners. As for the track, Nowra is very unique as it has some big flowing Supercross style berms enabling riders to make some aggressive passes and carry some incredible corner speed. It also features some fast sections and tight technical parts as well, plus it’s the type of track that plays on the strengths of naturally talented riders as it has so many different styles to it.

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RND 6 SCHEDULE START

CLASS

DURATION

8:00am

MX2 Practice / Qualifying

25 Min

8:30am

MXD Practice / Qualifying

25 Min

9:00am

85cc Juniors P/Q

20 Min

9:25am

MX1 Practice / Qualifying

30 Min

10:00am

Go Pro Super Pole

10 Min

10:05am

Official Opening

5 Min

10.25am

Motul MX2 Moto 1

30 + 1 lap

11:10am

Pirelli MXD Moto 1

20 + 1 lap

11:45am

Thor MX1 Moto 1

30 + 1 lap

12:20pm

Lunch

60 Min

1:15pm

85cc Juniors Moto 1

15 Min

1:40pm

Motul MX2 Moto 2

20 + 1 lap

2:25pm

Thor MX1 Moto 2

30 + 1 lap

3.20pm

Pirelli MXD Moto 2

20 + 1 lap

3:50pm

85cc Juniors Moto 2

15 Min

CHAMPIONSHIP POINT ALLOCATION PER MOTO 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

35 32 30 28 26

6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

25 24 23 22 21

11th 12th 13th 14th 15th

20 19 18 17 16

16th 17th 18th 19th 20th

15 14 13 12 11

21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th

10 9 8 7 6

26th 27th 28th 29th 30th

5 4 3 2 1

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MANY EXPERIENCES - ONE DESTINATION

MX1

Dean Ferris |

1st

ROUND 5 RECAP Ferris makes it five Thor MX1 round wins in a row at Murray Bridge Murray Bridge played host to a Retro themed fifth instalment of the Motul MX Nationals today, with CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris charging his way to a fifth straight victory in the deep red infamous soil.

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T O P S P O T S

2nd

| Kirk Gibbs

3rd | Brett Metcalfe

4th

| Kade Mosig

5th

| Luke Clout

MX1 PRESENTED BY THOR

103

With a mid-season break set to commence at the conclusion of today’s racing, Ferris was determined to reach the halfway point of the season with a close to flawless score card, and thanks to 1,2 results today that’s exactly what he did.

In traditional South Australian style, Round 5 kicked off in chilly conditions this morning, and when racing commenced the Thor MX1 class was forced to contend with on and off rain across both of their 30 minute motos.

Qualifying for the premier category delivered some breakthrough performances on track this morning.

South Australian Kirk Gibbs secured the fastest time thanks to his local knowledge (1:44.641), while Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team’s Todd Waters was second quickest on track (1:45.054). CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris secured the third fastest time of the session with a 1:45.170, followed by SA Plasterboards Brett Metcalfe aboard the privateer KTM and MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Aleksandr Tonkov. Unfortunately for Tonkov, despite

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qualifying fifth fastest, he was relegated three positions due to jumping on the first lap of the session, handing fifth position and entry to GoPro Superpole to Factory Honda’s Luke Clout.

When each of the top five qualifiers had thrown down their GoPro Superpole hot laps, it was Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team’s Waters who took his second straight Superpole victory with a 1:43.066 lap time, an incredible two seconds quicker than his earlier qualifying session result.

MOTO 1 When the premier Thor MX1 class headed to the line for their first moto of the day, all eyes were on the CDR Yamaha machine of Dean Ferris who was attempting to collect his fifth consecutive round victory at Murray Bridge.

When the gates dropped, it was a familiar sight with Ferris securing the Raceline hole shot, while Wilson Coolair Motul Factory Suzuki’s Peters and and KTM’s Gibbs slotted in behind him.

After only a lap, Ferris had a healthy five second lead on the field, showing off his incredible versatility regardless of conditions.

With the top three riders well ahead of the field, the attention shifted to the competitors behind them. After only two laps KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Luke Styke in fourth position began to feel the pressure from Metcalfe who was doing an incredible job aboard his privateer SA Plasterboard KTM is fifth. And after only a lap, their battling speed carried them onto the rear wheels of the top three,

setting up an all out brawl for second to fifth positions.

Peters, who had started the race in second place was no sooner put down a spot by KTM’s Gibbs, and from there the Suzuki rider had his hands full, with Styke, Metcalfe and Waters all beginning to close in on their American competitor.

By the time riders reached lap four, Metcalfe was undoubtedly on a charge, making the pass on Styke and then Peters to move in to the final podium position. From there, Metcalfe closed in on second placed Gibbs and by the time riders headed in to their seventh lap, the Murray Bridge local had made the pass for second on his privateer KTM machine.

In what was a shock to onlookers, only shortly after, Metcalfe’s bike 105

began to smoke, and with his tear offs flapping behind him, spectators were left wondering whether the most experienced rider on track would be able to bring it home.

By the time riders reached the 20-minute mark, Ferris had checked out, controlling the race with zero threat to his lead. Metcalfe continued to maintain second position, followed by Gibbs who was starting to feel the pressure from Peters in fourth.

As race one progressed, Waters found his second wind and with eight minutes left on track made the pass on Peters for fourth, while DPH Motorsport’s Mosig followed suit. Unfortunately for Peters, Clout and Styke also made moves on the Wilson Coolair Motul Factory Suzuki rider, dashing his hopes of a podium finish.

In the closing stages of moto one for the Thor MX1 class, it had become evident that Ferris was on another level, simply schooling his competitors and gapping the field by an incredible margin. Behind him, Metcalfe continued to circulate in second, while Gibbs was desperately trying to fight off Mosig who had charged his way through the pack up to the KTM rider’s rear wheel.

But it was Ferris who was once again unbeatable in race one, crossing the finish line with yet another victory aboard his CDR Yamaha machine and with a 24 second margin. Metcalfe held on to finish in second ahead of Gibbs who fought off Mosig on the final lap to conclude race one in third.

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DPH Motorsport’s Mosig wrapped up the first race of the day in fourth, followed by Honda duo Waters and Clout in fifth and sixth respectively. Styke, MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tonkov, Peters and Zac Small rounded out the top ten in moto one.

MOTO 2 With the threat of rain in the second moto, the Thor MX1 class prepared for all conditions when they took to the line for the final time. And when gates dropped the rain began plummeting down. It was KTM’s Gibbs who secured the hole shot and moved in to the race lead, but true to tradition Ferris was right there, as well as local man Metcalfe.

After two laps the rain set in, and Gibbs, Metcalfe, and Ferris broke away from the group setting up an all out battle for the race lead.

Behind the top three, DPH Motrosport’s Mosig led the charge in fourth followed by Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Waters, Clout and Wilson Coolair Motul Factory Suzuki’s Peters.

But the riders who were capturing the crowd’s attention were Gibbs, Metcalfe and Ferris who despite the deteriorating track conditions continued to charge harder than ever for the top three positions.

By the 18-minute mark in race two, Gibbs looked comfortable controlling the race, while back in second position Metcalfe continued to apply the pressure on his fellow local rider. Surprisingly for only the first time this season Ferris occupied third ahead of Mosig, Waters and rookie Honda rider Clout.

As the Thor MX1 category reached its closing stages of moto two, Ferris made the move on Metcalfe for second, and before long the CDR Yamaha rider found the rear wheel of Gibbs and began to challenge for the race lead.

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As moto two reached its closing stages, the rain fell heavily on the Murray Bridge circuit, but Gibbs was having no trouble with the conditions at all, ticking off lap after lap and edging closer to his second race victory of the year.

And when the chequered flag flew, it was Gibbs who took the race win on home soil, while Ferris and Metcalfe rounded out race two in second and third places respectively. DPH Motorsport’s Mosig concluded moto two in fourth, followed Peters and Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team’s Clout. Waters, Styke, Tonkov, and

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Joel Green completed the top ten in moto two.

When the points were tallied from both motos it was Ferris’ 1,2 results that saw him take his fifth consecutive overall win at Murray Bridge, second step on the podium was taken by Factory KTM’s Gibbs, while SA Plasterboards Metcalfe who was racing as a privateer at Round 5 finished in third.

CDR Yamaha’s Ferris now holds an impressive 48 point lead as the series heads in to the mid-season break.

DEAN FERRIS – CDR YAMAHA – ROUND 5 WINNER “Moto one was perfect, I got the holeshot and checked out. Moto two was harder, I found it difficult to pass here today, I got roosted a lot and I really had to manage the race,” Ferris explained.

“I used up all my film on my roll-offs so I couldn’t do too much in race two, I had the best stab I could at making the pass on Kirk with the film I had left, but he filled me in and I couldn’t do much, “Other than that though, five from five is a good start to the championship. I’m feeling good about how this year has gone, compared to last season, I was laying on the deck at this point.

“I can’t thank CDR Yamaha enough though – they really pulled my head in after that crash last year and it’s made me a more mature rider, we’ve got a perfect start to the season and we’re all really happy.”

PRESENTS

M X 1 R E S U LT S NUMBER

RIDER NAME

BIKE

POINTS

1

1

Dean Ferris

Yamaha

356

2

5

Kirk Gibbs

KTM

308

-48

3

8

Kade Mosig

Yamaha

279

-77

4

47

Todd Waters

Honda

277

-79

5

26

Luke Styke

KTM

262

-94

6

14

Kyle Peters

Suzuki

230

-126

7

4

Luke Clout

Honda

223

-133

8

159

Aleksandr Tonkov

Kawasaki

218

-138

9

24

Brett Metcalfe

Husqvarna

173

-183

10

144

Keiron Hall

Husqvarna

173

-183

11

83

Joel Green

KTM

172

-184

12

20

Lachlan Davis

Yamaha

162

-194

13

237

Zak Small

Husqvarna

155

-201

14

153

Hamish Harwood

KTM

155

-201

15

52

James Alen

KTM

152

-204

16

199

Nathan Crawford

Kawasaki

149

-207

17

264

Izak Maule

Yamaha

116

-240

18

30

Joel Wightman

Honda

111

-245

19

86

Brodie Sims

Yamaha

103

-253

20

34

Daniel Banks

KTM

100

-256

21

117

Dylan Long

Yamaha

82

-274

22

57

Charlie Creech

Honda

75

-281

23

46

Oliver James

Honda

75

-281

24

41

Rory McKercher

Honda

69

-287

25

414

Jesse Dobson

Honda

50

-306

26

88

Corey James

Yamaha

46

-310

27

17

Cory Watts

Honda

45

-311

28

22

Jesse Bishop

Yamaha

37

-319

29

48

Russell Scoble

Honda

35

-321

30

124

Mitch Norris

KTM

33

-323

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DIFFERENCE

SEE MORE RESULTS >

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MX2

Hamish Harwood |

1st

ROUND 5 RECAP Ironman Harwood secures maiden Motul MX2 victory in South Australia The fast, red Murray Bridge surface delivered South Australian crowds with bar to bar racing today, with New Zealand Davey Motorsport’s KTM rider Hamish Harwood securing the Motul MX2 overall victory at the Retro themed Round 5 of the Motul MX Nationals

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T O P S P O T S

2nd

| Egan Mastin

3rd | Mitch Evans

4th

| Dylan Wills

5th

| Wilson Todd

MX2 PRESENTED BY MOTUL

113

Harwood, who is racing both the MX1 and MX2 classes this season proved that he truly is the MX Nationals Ironman, recording 1,3 race results to conclude the weekend’s event with the round win in the MX2 category.

With the five-week mid-season break commencing directly after today’s racing, it was a dash for championship points at Murray Bridge today, and all riders in the MX2 category did exactly that across two action filled motos.

Davey Motorsport’s Harwood got his round five campaign started in the best way possible this morning, shooting to the top of the time sheets in qualifying, setting a 1:48.907 lap time and securing first pick of the grid. Second fastest on track was Serco Yamaha’s Jackson Richardson (1:49.039), followed by KTM two-stroke young gun Egan Mastin (1:49.285).

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MOTO 1 In the first 30-minute moto for the Motul MX2 class, riders were handed a varied surface, favouring those who could adapt to the sandy yet rutty conditions.

When gates dropped, it was KSF Racing’s Dylan Wills who secured the first Raceline holeshot of the day, while Mastin and Richardson slotted in behind him.

After a lap on track, light rain started to fall on the Murray Bridge circuit giving riders yet another aspect to contend with. But the real test was for Wills who was forced to hold his composure with Mastin closing the gap on the Husqvarna mounted rider.

But Mastin had his own battle to fight off, with Richardson nipping at his heels, and by lap three, the Serco Yamaha rider had made the move into second position where he then began to close in on race leader Wills.

However, Mastin was not prepared

to go down without a fight, and only a few turns later had reclaimed second position, setting up a three-way battle for the lead.

Behind the top three was fastest qualifier Harwood, red plate holder Wilson Todd and Penrite Honda CRF Racing Kyle Webster who were also rapidly closing in riders at the front of the field.

By the halfway mark in the moto, Richardson had gotten by Mastin, and began to apply the pressure on Wills for the lead, and once riders had reached the whoop section on the eighth lap, the Serco Yamaha rider made a move on Wills for the top spot that stuck. Unfortunately for Wills, Mastin followed suit relegating the KSF Racing rider to third.

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With just over ten minutes left on the clock, Richardson continued to lead from Mastin and Wills, while New Zealander Harwood was just outside the top three in fourth. Todd continued to occupy fifth position followed by brothers Mitchell and Richie Evans.

Unfortunately for Mastin a ten second in-race penalty saw him drop back to seventh with only five minutes remaining, tightening up positions at the front even further. With Mastin out of the equation, Richardson had his hands full once again, with Wills, Harwood, Todd and Webster all tagging onto his rear wheel.

But only moments later, it was a hard charging Harwood made the move on Wills and Richardson for the lead, the New Zealander securing the top spot at a pivotal moment.

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With Harwood out in front, Wills also managed to get by Richardson with only a few rotations remaining.

As race one for the Motul MX2 category reached it’s closing stages, the rain became more of a factor, falling heavily in the final laps, but one rider who had no issue with the moisture was Davey Motorsport’s Harwood who continued to lead from Wills and Richardson.

And it was in those positions that they stayed, Harwood collecting his first race win of the season at the conclusion of the moto, followed by Wills and Richardson in second and third places respectively. Fourth was collected by DPH Motorsport’s Todd followed by Mastin who’s in-race penalty saw him finish in fifth. Webster, Serco Yamaha’s Mitchell Evans, Richie Evans, Raceline Pirelli KTM’s Rykers and Tomas Ravenhorst completed the top ten in race one.

In what was a drastic alteration of results – during the lunch break, Motorcycling Australia’s Steward of the event reduced Mastin’s in-race penalty to five seconds placing him in third position at the conclusion of moto one. Due to the change, Mastin secured the final podium spot, relegating Richardson to fourth, and Todd to fifth.

MOTO 2 By the time riders lined up for the second and final moto at Murray Bridge, the track had developed deep ruts and square edged bumps providing the MX2 class with one difficult surface for their final appearance of the first half of the season.

When the gates dropped for the second time this afternoon, Serco Yamaha’s Evans shot off the grid and collected the second Raceline holeshot of the day, while Mastin and Richie Evans slotted in behind him.

Unfortunately for Richardson, a first turn crash forced the Serco Yamaha rider to re-join the race in dead last position, and a mission and a half if he was to make his way through the field and in to a podium spot.

After three laps, Mastin had closed in Serco Yamaha’s Evans, while a distance behind them Richie Evans was locked in to his own battle with Davey Motorsport’s Harwood for third.

A notable absentee from the front of the field was DPH Motorsport’s Todd, who after five laps was back in eighth, and with a large task ahead of him.

With only 20 minutes on the clock in the final moto for the Motul MX2 class, it was a sprint to the finish line for the 250cc competitors, and by the half way point in the moto, Evans continued to lead from Mastin in second. Harwood had made his way into third followed by Richie Evans and KSF Racing’s Wills in fourth and fifth.

As moto two reached its final stages, Richardson captured the crowd’s attention with his charge towards the front of the pack, riding from dead last up to fourth with a handful of laps remaining.

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But the man of the moment was Richardson’s team mate Mitchell Evans – with only a lap remaining the Serco Yamaha rider continued to fight off Mastin and Harwood, showing that he was determined to redeem himself after a difficult first moto.

And when the chequered flag flew, it was Evans who collected the second Motul MX2 win at Murray Bridge. Second place went to Davey Motorsport’s Mastin, followed by teammate Harwood in third.

DPH Motorsport’s Todd finished in fourth while Richardson slipped back to fifth.

Richie Evans, Wills, Tomas Ravenhorst, Bulk Nutrients WBR Yamaha’s Aaron Tanti, and Joel Evans completed the top ten in

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race two.

But it was the Ironman Harwood who had reason to celebrate at the conclusion of racing at Murray Bridge today, taking his first round win for the season whilst racing two talent packed categories.

Second place on the podium went to Mastin followed by Serco Yamaha’s Evans who concluded today’s proceedings in third.

Despite not finishing on the podium today, DPH Motorsport’s Todd enters the mid-season break with the Motul MX2 Championship lead. paid off for Webster who’s 3,4 results handed him with third overall at Horsham.

HAMISH HARWOOD – DAVEY MOTORSPORTS – ROUND 5 WINNER “It feels awesome to have done this today. This is the first overall win I’ve got and I’m just really happy about it – I’ve put in the work and it’s paid off,” Harwood shared.

“The last two rounds we’ve been on the podium – we’ve made a few changes and I feel that we have a better setup.

“We’ll keep it the same for the second half of the series now, and hopefully we can keep putting it on the box every weekend.”

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PRESENTS

M X 2 R E S U LT S NUMBER

RIDER NAME

BIKE

POINTS

1

2

Wilson Todd

Yamaha

311

2

43

Mitchell Evans

Yamaha

305

-6

3

153

Hamish Harwood

KTM

278

-33

4

11

Jackson Richardson

Yamaha

278

-33

5

4

Egan Mastin

KTM

277

-34

6

64

Dylan Wills

Husqvarna

242

-69

7

96

Kyle Webster

Honda

233

-78

8

18

Aaron Tanti

Yamaha

217

-94

9

3

Jayden Rykers

KTM

209

-102

10

86

Richie Evans

Yamaha

205

-106

11

35

Ricky Latimer

Yamaha

186

-125

12

81

Joel Evans

Yamaha

172

-139

13

188

Tomas Ravenhorst

Yamaha

156

-155

14

33

Jesse McNally

Yamaha

148

-163

15

13

Jayden Conforto

Kawasaki

109

-202

16

392

Calib Best

Yamaha

107

-204

17

27

Bailey Coxon

Yamaha

101

-210

18

107

Darren Schenk

Kawasaki

82

-229

19

94

Levi McManus

Honda

77

-234

20

219

Lachlan Wilson

Yamaha

77

-234

21

77

Jarrod Kelly

KTM

73

-238

22

37

Karl Claridge

KTM

65

-246

23

602

Lochie Latimer

Yamaha

55

-256

24

145

Cohen Chase

Suzuki

51

-260

25

106

Kye Wilkinson

Kawasaki

47

-264

26

112

daniel figueroa

Yamaha

47

-264

27

26

Jake Salems

KTM

47

-264

28

5

Wade Kirkland

KTM

42

-269

29

137

Jacob Wright

Yamaha

40

-271

30

65

Robin Scheiben

Yamaha

38

-273

120

DIFFERENCE

SEE MORE RESULTS >

MXD

Jy Roberts |

1st

ROUND 5 RECAP Roberts takes Pirelli MXD Championship lead at Murray Bridge Husqvarna mounted Jy Roberts made it two Pirelli MXD round wins in a row and was rewarded with the red plate for the first time this season, thanks to consistency at Round 5 of the Motul MX Nationals held at Murray Bridge in South Australia today.

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T O P S P O T S

2nd

| Kaleb Barham

3rd | Morgan Fogarty

4th

| Riley Dukes

5th

| Hugh McKay

MXD PRESENTED BY PIRELLI

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Roberts, who has gotten more impressive as the season has progressed collected yet another victory this afternoon and brought home valuable championship points as the season heads in to the midseason break.

Round 5 got started in chilly conditions at Murray Bridge this morning, and with the track ripped deeper than in previous years, when racing got underway it was one of the best prepared circuits so far this season.

When the Pirelli MXD class took to the track for qualifying this morning, newly re-branded SD3 Husqvarna’s Kaleb Barham showed that he was in South Australia for business, setting the fastest time with a 1:50.470. Second quickest on track was former red plate holder Cooper Pozniak (1:50.538), while Round 4 winner Roberts secured third pick of the grid thanks to a 1:50.840 lap time.

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MOTO 1 When the Pirelli MXD riders lined up for their first moto at Murray Bridge, rain had fallen on the sandy red circuit, providing a new challenge for the Under 19’s category. When gates dropped and riders headed in to the first turn, SD3 Husqvarna’s Barham used the first gate pick to his advantage taking the Raceline holeshot and moving in to the race lead.

After one lap on track Barham stretched his lead out on the rest of the field. Behind the Husqvarna rider was KTM’s Liam Walsh in second, followed by third fastest qualifier from this morning Roberts in third.

With Barham managing a healthy lead so early in the moto, the attention shifted to the battle for positions behind him with Walsh, Roberts and Raceline Pirelli KTM’s Morgan Fogarty all within striking distance of each other. It was Walsh however who cracked under the pressure, both Roberts and Fogarty

making the pass on the KTM rider to move in to podium positions.

From there, Walsh continued to drop back, which allowed red plate holder Cody Dyce (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) to tag onto the battle for third and apply the pressure on Raceline’s Fogarty.

With seven minutes remaining in race one, Barham continued to lead from Roberts, Fogarty and Dyce, while just outside the top four riders was Yamalube Yamaha’s Cooper Pozniak who was battling hard to close in on the front runners.

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Unfortunately lap eight spelled disaster for red plate holder Dyce, seen on the side of the track clutching his wrist and struggling to kick over his Yamaha machine, Dyce eventually re-joined the race just outside the top ten, effecting his championship hopes in all the wrong ways.

As the Pirelli MXD class approached the final laps in their first moto, spectators were treated to a three-way battle for the lead with Barham, Roberts and Fogarty all within a bikes length of each other.

But despite a last turn challenge for the lead from Roberts, Barham held his nerve, and when the chequered flag

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flew it was the SD3 Husqvarna rider who took the first race victory of the day and his first of the year – Roberts and Fogarty crossed the finish line in second and third places respectively. Fourth place in race one was taken by Pozniak, followed by Queenslander Isaac Ferguson in fifth.

Riley Dukes, Wyatt Chase, Callum Norton, Walsh and Bulk Nutrients WBR Yamaha’s Hugh McKay completed the top ten in race one.

Dyce, who had challenged for a podium early in the moto wrapped up the opening Pirelli MXD moto in a disappointing 16th position.

MOTO 2 When race two commenced for the Pirelli MXD class, Pozniak took advantage of a big jump off the start, securing the Raceline holeshot and moving in to the lead, however after suffering a disastrous first moto, Dyce wasted no time in applying the pressure and only a few turns later made the move in to the top spot.

Behind Dyce and Pozniak, Roberts showed off his consistency occupying third place, followed by race one winner Barham, and Raceline Pirelli KTM’s Fogarty.

With only 20 minutes on the clock in the final moto of the day, the Pirelli MXD riders were, doing everything they could to capitalise on the time that they had, but the one rider who continued to stretch out his lead on the field was Yamaluble Yamaha Racing’s Dyce.

As riders reached the closing stages of race two, the track was becoming brutal, and line selection became more

important than ever. Dyce continued to lead from Roberts who had gotten

by Pozniak, while Barham continued to circulate in fourth.

With five minutes remaining, Roberts began to apply pressure on Dyce for the lead, however lappers were a clear factor and every time the pair got close another rider would get in between them.

But it was on the final lap that drama unfolded. Roberts went for an aggressive pass on Dyce for the lead and made a mistake which inevitably took both

127

riders down, the pair were then forced to remount their machines and dash to the finish line.

But when the chequered flag flew it was Roberts who got to his feet quickest and secured the final race win. Second place went to Dyce while race one winner Barham crossed the finish line in third.

Bulk Nutrients WBR Yamaha’s Mckay finished race two in an impressive fourth position ahead of Fogarty in fifth, while Dukes, Chase, Ferguson, Brodie Ellis and Walsh completed the top ten.

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However, with another two consistent performances in both races, it was Roberts who was awarded the round win in Murray Bridge this afternoon.

Second place on the podium went to Barham, while consistency paid off for Fogarty who’s 3,5 moto finishes saw him finish in third for the round.

Following the fifth round, Roberts now leads the Pirelli MXD championship by six points as the series commences the mid-season break.

JY ROBERTS – HUSQVARNA AUSTRALIA – ROUND 5 WINNER

“It was a good day for us – we had two consistent finishes and managed to walk away with the overall so we’re very happy,” Roberts shared.

“We also managed to get the red plate which is what we all work towards so it was a really successful day all in all.

“We now have the mid-season break so we’ll just keep working hard and come back at Nowra looking to finish off the second half of the season strong.”

129

PRESENTS

M X D R E S U LT S NUMBER

RIDER NAME

BIKE

POINTS

DIFFERENCE

1

100

Jy Roberts

Husqvarna

299

0

2

33

Cody Dyce

Yamaha

293

-6

3

4

Morgan Fogarty

KTM

259

-40

4

16

Kaleb Barham

Husqvarna

241

-58

5

149

Isaac Ferguson

KTM

240

-59

6

46

Hugh McKay

Yamaha

226

-73

7

17

Cooper Pozniak

Yamaha

225

-74

8

75

Brodie Ellis

Yamaha

201

-98

9

44

Jai Constantinou

Honda

196

-103

10

11

Sam Pelz

Yamaha

178

-121

11

118

Callum Norton

KTM

167

-132

12

25

Dylan Wood

KTM

150

-149

13

92

Jye Dickson

KTM

144

-155

14

24

Benjamin Broad

Kawasaki

135

-164

15

121

Liam Walsh

KTM

132

-167

16

7

Riley Dukes

Husqvarna

128

-171

17

21

Alex Watt

Husqvarna

126

-173

18

95

Wyatt Chase

Suzuki

120

-179

19

19

Jackson Coulson

Yamaha

116

-183

20

281

Lachlan Torpy

KTM

101

-198

21

49

Jake Williams

Yamaha

91

-208

22

20

Josh Tredinnick

Kawasaki

88

-211

23

27

Justin Hart

Husqvarna

76

-223

24

40

Nicholas Luksich

Honda

72

-227

25

521

Kane Fischer

Husqvarna

68

-231

26

37

Chandler Burns

KTM

62

-237

27

Q94

Quinlen Adams

Yamaha

59

-240

28

110

Ryan Kenney

KTM

55

-244

29

10

Josh Brewster

KTM

47

-252

30

252

Bailey Koolen

KTM

31

-268

COMP CODE: 64-DYLANWILLS 130

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Chris Urquhart Motodevelopment Rider Training

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k : Craig Dac R E G A N A NER / M BERS: 8 TEAM OW TEAM MEM S WON: 48 IP H S N IO P CHAM

#1

ERRIS #1 DEAN F Class: MX1 Age: 27 W : Kyogle NS Hometown ha YZ450F Bike: Yama heel111 IG: @ferrisw

#117

N LONG #117 DYLA Class: MX1 Age: 22 IC : Benalla, V Hometown ha YZ450F Bike: Yama long IG: @dvlan

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FERRIS FLIES TO FIVE IN A ROW

CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris has capped off a remarkable start to his 2017 MX Nationals campaign taking his fifth consecutive round win at round five of the championship held at Murray Bridge in South Australia.

On board his Yamaha YZ450F, Ferris and the CDR Yamaha team have been an unstoppable combination throughout the first half of the series and again created history taking a fifth win on the trot at Murray Bridge and increasing his championship lead to 48 points at the half way point of the championship.

While not quite the domination of earlier rounds, Ferris rode with speed and aggression when required but also some street smarts at times, knowing the name of the game is to continue racking up good points in every moto.

He qualified second in the Go Pro Superpole but that was a distant memory as the MX1 field roared into the first turn on Sunday. Ferris snatched the lead by turn two and then set about cementing his place at the front of the field. He relentlessly clicked off laps faster than anyone on the track and when he crossed the finish-line at the end of the 30minute raced, he had cleared out to a 25 second victory.

Moto two and Ferris was again well placed on the opening lap but things were made interesting by showers of rain that fell throughout the moto. Ferris as well as local favourites, Kirk Gibbs and Brett Metcalfe were in an intense battle for the entire 30 minutes.

With Gibbs in the lead, Ferris and Metcalfe battled for the minor placings but the rain and roost flying from their 450cc machines made vision difficult.

At stages, each rider would need to drop back a little to get away from the flying dirt and reset themselves for more racing.

In the end, Gibbs took the race win, Ferris followed him over the line and Metcalfe in third. Dean’s

1-2 results on the day gave him the overall round win and plenty of confidence leading into the mid-season break.

“Coming to South Australia is always tough as Kirk and Brett ride extremely well here in front of their home town friends and family, so it was good to get the round win here and not let any of my rivals gain any momentum leading into the break,” Dean explains.

“The track today was fast and with some hard pack and some soft sections. Making the right choice with the bike and tyres was important and the CDR Yamaha team again did a great job in supplying me with an awesome bike on the weekend.

“I liked being in the battle with Brett and Kirk in moto two and it was fun race. The rain and roost made it tough as you couldn’t sit right on the guy in front of you. I went through my roll offs by the end of the race and I saw Brett had to take his goggles off so it was another challenge but it was good fun to race with those guys.”

The MX Nationals now takes a five week break to allow riders and teams to reset for the second half of the season and it will resume on July 2 at Nowra for round six. The CDR Yamaha team will be back to full strength at Nowra with the expected return of Dylan Long after recovering from his wrist injuries.

Ferris will remain active during the break and has announced he will contest a round of the AMA Motocross Nationals in the United States on June 17 before returning home and continuing his campaign to retain his MX Nationals championship.

“I like being active in racing and an opportunity has come up that will allow me to race in the US, so I’m really looking forward to it. I have never done a round of the AMA Motocross series so it will be a new experience for me and I can’t wait to get over there,” Ferris ends.

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s : Gavin Eale R E G A N A NER / M BERS: 5 TEAM OW TEAM MEM IPS WON: 7 H S N IO P M CHA

#11

N ICHARDSO R N O S K C #11 JA Class: MX2 Age: 22 D : Cairns, QL Hometown ha YZ250F Bike: Yama ho IG: @jatzric

#43

EVANS #43 MITCH Class: MX2 Age: 18 D : Cairns, QL Hometown ha Yz250F Bike: Yama evans43 IG: @mitch

SERCO YAMAHA’S FIGHTING SPIRIT ON DISPLAY

On Paper, round five of the 2017 MX Nationals in Murray Bridge might not be Serco Yamaha’s finest work but both Mitch Evans and Jackson Richardson put in two fighting rides to keep their championship hopes alive, as the series hits the midway point.

On the fast and flowing Murray Bridge circuit where good starts and track position is everything, Evans and Richardson both had to overcome some challenges throughout the day but both showed they are in the fight for the long haul with Evans taking third place for the day and Richardson in sixth.

Evans started the day off in good shape with the fourth fastest lap in qualifying where less than two seconds separated the top none riders. But a poor start in race one made life difficult for Evans as he was buried in the early laps and trying to move forward when all the riders ahead of him were at a similar pace.

But he continued to fight and moved his way into a good points salvaging position of seventh but gained a lot of confidence as he reeled in the front runners late in the race.

Race two and there were no start issues.

Evans leaped from the gate, dominated the first turn and took control of the race. While there was pressure from behind throughout the race, Evans focus never faulted and he went on the win with a five second margin back to second place.

His 7-1 results landed him in third for the day.

“A good race, one not so good race,” Evans lamented at days’ end. “I thought I got a pretty reasonable jump in race one but got caught wide in the first turn and shuffled back quickly as turns one and two are tight U turns. From there I just had to keep moving forward and passing whatever rider was in front of me. It wasn’t an easy track to pass and the speed is on in race one as the track is still pretty smooth and a bit one lined but seventh was ok.

“I knew I had to rebound in race two and was determined to get the start. I went to gate one and just

charged the first turn and came out in front. I put my head down, didn’t worry about what was behind me and I was able to win the race so it was a good way to finish,” Evans ended.

Jackson Richardson also had a day of mixed fortunes with his 4-5 results. Race one saw Richardson charge to the lead after slicing his way through a pack of three or four riders in the opening laps. He led until the half way point of the 30minute race but he started to tighten up down the stretch with his arms pumping up and was forced to slow. He dropped to fourth in an eventful moto one.

Just 100 metres into race two and Richardson found himself in a completely different scenario to the opening moto as he went down in the first turn and was near last to remount and get back into the race.

With only 20 minutes to make something happen, Richardson threw caution to the wind and rode like a man possessed. He crashed and bashed his way past riders at will and quickly moved through the field. His charge took him all the way to fourth spot before a mistake on the final lap dropped him back to fifth.

“It was an uneventful day for me and each race completely opposite to each other. In race one I went from fourth to first and back to fourth again while in race two I went from last to fourth before my last lap mishap.

“But with the break in the series now, I can get home, make a few changes to what I have been doing and come back stronger in the second half of the series.

“Thanks to the Serco Yamaha team for their efforts for the past couple of runs as the fast turnaround after the mud at Horsham had everyone under the pump,” Richardson said.

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#33

DYCE #33 CODY Class: MXD Age: 17 VIC : Tinamba, Hometown ha YZ250F Bike: Yama dyce33 IG: @cody_

#17

K ER POZNIA #17 COOP Class: MXD Age: 18 SW oodrising, N W : n w to e Hom ha YZ250F Bike: Yama rpozniak17 IG: @coope

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t ay Marmon J : R E G A N TEAM MA BERS: 5 TEAM MEM 1 IPS WON: 2 H S N IO P M CHA

#5

BS #5 KIRK GIB Class: MX1 Age: 28 r, SA unt Gambie o M : n w to Home 450SX-F Bike: KTM bs IG: @kirkgib

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STYKE #26 LUKE Class: MX1 Age: 25 D LISTON, QL G : n w to e Hom 450SX-F Bike: KTM 6 IG: @styke2

KTM’S GIBBS RE-VISITS THE TOP STEP IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australian-born KTM Factory Motocross Racing Team rider Kirk Gibbs put his KTM 450 SX-F back onto the top step of an MX Nationals podium with a racetwo win as the 2017 MX Nationals continued at Murray Bridge, SA.

Gibbs had earlier finished third in the opening moto after having to shed his goggles, and with the race-two win, took second on the day behind championship leader Dean Ferris and ahead of Brett Metcalfe.

With the result, Gibbs further shored up his second position in Australia’s premier motocross championship, and underlined his determination to be the man to break the winning streak of runaway leader Ferris.

His KTM factory team mate Luke Styke found himself inexplicably down on the level that propelled him to a podium a week ago, and could only managed eighth overall after 7-8 finishes.

For more information on KTM Motorcycles, visit www.ktm.com.au or www.facebook.com/ KTMAustralia

Jay Marmont – KTM Motocross Racing Team Manager: “We’ve put a lot of emphasis on our starts lately and Kirk got two holeshots. Unfortunately, in the first moto he ran it a bit wide and Dean snuck up the inside, and then he copped a bit of roost with some lappers and got stuck with his roll-offs and had to take the goggles off and couldn’t really stick in there behind Metcalfe with no goggles, so he finished third in that. He got a really good start in the second races and it was a really good battle between Metcalfe, Gibbs and Ferris. Ferris got Metty and then Metty’s

goggles came off, and then Ferris had to take his off.

It’s a bit of a shame that riders have to keep taking their goggles off with the conditions out there, and it shows how important it is to get the start.”

Kirk Gibbs – KTM450SX-F: “It was good to get another moto win, but obviously I’m chasing that first overall. The track formed up a little bit weird after the few showers we had, so the ruts formed up a bit funny and didn’t really flow that well. I qualified first but made a big mistake out the back of SuperPole and ended up fifth. It’s frustrating to keep giving away points there but we’re all working on that. In the first race I got a good start, but I rode really tight and got arm pump instantly and just didn’t flow. The second was a lot better; I just got out front and rode clean and smart. It was hard with lappers and as soon as I made any kind of mistake I would have those guys right up on me, but still, much better to be fighting at the front.

We’ve worked really hard on starts lately, so hopefully this is the start of a turnaround.”

Luke Styke – KTM450SX-F: “I didn’t have much this weekend; the body just didn’t give me much – it’s a bit disappointing coming off the high of last week. I struggled with the track all day long, and with the lappers, and in the first one I just couldn’t move forward – the guys that I was battling with were all kind of a similar pace and I got the worst end of the stick in the results. At least my bike was great, but I’ve got a bit of a break now to build and I’ve just got to stay positive. I don’t think I need to change too much. I can’t really put my thumb on what we did wrong today, but we weren’t good.”

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Tisdale GER: Chris A N A M M A TE 250SX-F BIKES: KTM

RYKERS #3 JAYDEN Class: MX2 Age: 20 age rykersfanp n e d y ja @ : FB rykers3 IG: @jayden

#3

Y N FOGART #4 MORGA Class: MXD Age: an.fogy FB: @morg nfogarty_ IG: @morga SON #6 JAY WIL Class: MX2 Age: nd : Queensla n w to e m o H son_6 IG: @jaywil

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FOGARTY PUTS RACELINE PIRELLI KTM ON THE PODIUM AT MURRAY BRIDGE

Raceline Pirelli KTM’s Morgan Fogarty collected his second podium of the season in the Pirelli MXD class yesterday, in what was a positive day for the team at Round 5 of the MX Nationals at Murray Bridge.

With the mid-season break kicking off following racing yesterday afternoon, both Fogarty and MX2 pilot Jayden Rykers were determined to finish the first half of the season with a positive result in South Australia, and for Fogarty that’s exactly what he did.

Victorian based 17-year-old Fogarty qualified well down the charts at Murray Bridge, setting the tenth fastest time and with a large task ahead of him when racing kicked off. However, when gates dropped yesterday, Fogarty remained focussed – racing to consistent 3,5 moto finishes awarding him third overall at Round 5.

“Round five was good for us – we ended up third overall which is a good way to go into the midseason break,” Fogarty shared.

“Moto one was pretty good, I got off to a great start and made my way up to third. I was battling with the top two guys which is where I want to be.

“In moto two I got off to another good start and was in third but I had a little fall which put me back to fifth and finished there.

“All in all it was a positive weekend for us. We have a bit of a break now so we’ll keep working hard and then finish off the last part of the season strong.”

Unfortunately for Rykers in the MX2 class, the weekend’s outing at Murray Bridge was one he would

rather put behind him. Rykers qualified in seventh place aboard his KTM SX-F 250, and then went on to record a top ten (9th) in moto one. However, moto two proved to be a challenge for the rider now based out of Victoria, wrapping up the final 20-minute race in 12th position, handing him ninth overall for the round.

“Yesterday went pear shaped. We saw improvement in some areas, all I’m missing is the start and that is so important this year,” Rykers explained.

“In moto one I was in around 25th going in to the first turn so that made things hard from there.

“In moto two the start was the same, and I got caught up with another and went down. After that I got back up and going and we managed to get back some points.

“I’m looking forward to five weeks of work and actually putting some good races together over the next five rounds.”

Following the weekend’s racing, Fogarty now sits in third position in the Pirelli MXD championship standings, while Rykers sits in ninth in the MX2 class with five rounds remaining.

The 2017 MX Nationals will now commence the mid-season break, with round six taking place at Nowra in New South Wales on Sunday, July 2. Visit the official series website at www.mxnationals.com.au for further information.

To follow Raceline Pirelli KTM’s progress this year, like ‘Raceline’ on Facebook or follow @raceline_ motosport on Instagram.

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ll : Troy Carro R E G A N A TEAM M BERS: 6 TEAM MEM IPS WON: 1 H S N IO P M CHA

#24

METCALFE #24 BRETT Class: MX1 2 3 : e g A A : Manum, S n w to e m o H y24 IG: @bmett

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ORD AN CRAWF H T A N 9 9 1 # Class: MX1 9 1 : e g A QLD : Brisbane, n w to e m o H n199 IG: @_natha

MEGA BULK FUELS MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI RACING TEAM CONSISTENT AT MURRAY BRIDGE

MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s MXGP import Aleksandr Tonkov has finished off the first half of the 2017 MX Nationals with a consistent ninth overall result at Murray Bridge, South Australia, on Sunday.

In the opening MX1 race Tonkov and his 2017 KX450F completed the opening lap in sixth place, but then made a couple of small errors to finish the moto in eighth place.

As rain began falling, the 25-year-old Russian found himself mid-pack off the start of the second MX1 race. A goggle issue at the halfway mark saw him ride the remainder of the race without goggles, but he still managed to soldier home in ninth position.

“It was tough out there today. I feel like my riding is getting better, but the results aren’t showing it,” Tonkov said. “In the first moto I had an okay start, but I tried to ride over what I can and lost some positions.

In the second race I had to ride without goggles due to the changing conditions.

“I feel bad for the team as ninth overall is not where we want to be and I know I’m better than that.

There’s now a break in the series and tomorrow we’ll reassess everything and try and find that thing that’s missing when I come to the races, so I can hopefully show everyone what I am capable of.”

Tonkov currently sits eighth overall in the championship standings.

MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Nathan Crawford did not race at Murray Bridge in order to maximise healing time for a wrist injury before the second half of the championship.

The sixth round of the 2017 Motul MX Nationals championship will be held at Nowra, New South Wales, on Sunday, 2 July. Further information on the 10-round series can be found on the official website at www.mxnationals.com.au.

To stay up-to-date with the MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team, ‘Like’ MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team on Facebook or ‘Follow’ @mega_monsterenergy_ kawasaki on Instagram. Visit www.kawasaki.com.au for further information on Kawasaki Motors Australia.

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ey, NSW TERS: Sydn R A U Q D A HE BERS: 8 TEAM MEM

BARHAM #16 KALEB Class: MXD Age: 18 QLD owoomba, o T : n w to e Hom barham_16 IG: @kaleb_

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#64

WILLS #64 DYLAN Class: MX2 1 2 : e g A W : Como, NS n w to e m o H wills64 IG: @dylan

#521

FISCHER #521 KANE Class: MXD 7 1 : e g A , NSW : Kurrajong n w to e m o H ing IG: @521rac

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#4

LOUT #4 LUKE C Class: MX1 Age: 22 SW angrove, N n n A : n w to Home ut4 IG: @lukeclo

#47

WATERS #47 TODD Class: MX1 Age: 26 QLD : Atherton, Hometown aters47 IG: @toddw

TOP SIX RESULTS FOR CRANKT PROTEIN HONDA RACING AT MURRAY BRIDGE Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s MX1 racers Todd Waters and Luke Clout could barely be separated at the fifth round of the 217 MX Nationals at Muray Bridge on Sunday, with both riders cracking the top six and leaving with 50 points apiece.

For the second-consecutive week, Queenslander Waters established himself as the man to beat by winning the three valuable points on offer in Super Pole, while Clout also qualified for Super Pole, where he posted the fourth-fastest time.

In the opening race Waters and MX1 rookie Clout finished fifth and sixth respectively, with less than 1.5 seconds separating them at the chequered flag.

Both riders finished the first lap inside the top 10 and steadily picked off riders throughout the 30-minute moto.

As rain fell during the second MX1 moto the Crankt Protein Honda Racing duo’s fortunes were reversed, with Clout finishing sixth and Waters seventh.

Waters got a decent jump off the gate and spent most of the race in fifth position, with Clout following closely behind in sixth. Despite chalking up the fastest lap of the race, Waters lost two positions late in the moto, including sixth place to Clout with two laps to go.

As a result of the close racing between the pair, Clout finished the round in fifth and Waters in sixth on count-back. Waters now holds down fourth in the MX1 championship standings, while Clout has moved to seventh overall.

The 2017 MX Nationals now heads into a fiveweek break, with the action recommencing on 2 July at Nowra, NSW.

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ai, NSW t Kuring-G M : S R E T R BERS: 7 HEADQUA TEAM MEM

#30

IGHTMAN #30 JOEL W Class: MX1 Age: 21 W letown, NS g in S : n w to Home htman IG: @joelwig

#96

WEBSTER #96 KYLE Class: MX2 Age: 20 : Perth, WA Hometown ebster96 IG: @kylew

WEBSTER & WIGHTMAN ROCK THE RETRO SPIRIT AS MX NATIONALS RUMBLES INTO MURRAY BRIDGE With just a seven day turn-around following the previous round, Australia’s premier dirt bike contest, the MX Nationals, rumbled into Murray Bridge in rural South Australia on Sunday (May 28) for round five of the prestigious championship.

Playing host to the annual ‘Retro’ round festivities, the Murray Bridge event saw the Penrite CRF Honda Racing team get right into the spirit with the squad presenting all-new looking race bikes decked out in special graphics kits prepared by team sponsor SK Designs, that harked back to the solid red and blue tones of Honda’s HRC works bikes of the mid 1980s. The special Penrite CRF Honda Racing retro graphics kits are now available for sale to the public, via the www.skda.com.au web site.

Pre-event rains made the Murray Bridge track moist and sticky for Sunday’s event, with conditions turning tacky through the day and leaving large sections of the circuit filled with deep and challenging ruts.

In the MX2 dvision, Penrite CRF Honda Racing high-flyer Kyle Webster was dealt a mixed bag of fortunes across his two motos.

“It was a pretty tough day, actually,” Webster explained after the completion of racing at Murray Bridge.

“In the first moto I rode well, but just couldn’t make a pass and eventually finished in sixth place. The track conditions were tough for passing and all of us in first through seventh places were just railing around in a long freight train.

“Then in the second moto my bike had issues on the start line and as a result I couldn’t start the

race, which was pretty devastating. But sometimes that happens and luck is cruel, no matter all the work everyone on the team puts in. I’ve just got to put that behind me now and use the break over the next few weeks to keep working hard for when the series resumes.”

At the halfway point in the MX Nationals chase, Webster is now placed seventh in the MX2 division.

In the big-bore MX1 category, Penrite CRF Honda Racing rider Joel Wightman put in another two solid motos as he continues to build back to top form following a recent shoulder injury.

“The racing was tough at Murray Bridge, for sure,” Wightman revealed after the event, “but overall I was happy to keep building momentum as I bounce back from injury. I finished 11th and 14th in my two races, which gave me equal 12th overall on points for the day.

“Having the next five weeks without a national round will give me the opportunity to get back into the normal rhythm of training and riding at home. I’ve got plenty to work on and focus on building my program back up before the next round at Nowra, NSW, in July.”

After five rounds of the MX1 series, Wightman is 18th overall in the championship standings.

In the MXD category, Penrite CRF Honda Racing development rider Nick Luksich posted 24/22 moto placings at Murray Bridge, to give him 25th overall for the round. The youngster is 24th in the series standings.

With the MX Nationals series now taking it’s annual mid-season break, the national championship chase will resume on July 2 at the Yerriyong circuit at Nowra on the NSW south coast.

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R TIERNEY #7 CONNO Class: MX2 Age: 19 A Bunbury, W : n w to e m Ho rtierney7 IG: @conno

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N TANTI #18 AARO Class: MX2 0 2 : e g A , NSW : Silverdale n w to e m o H tanti18 IG: @aaron MCKAY #46 HUGH Class: MXD 6 1 : e g A n TAS : Launcesto n w to e m o H ckay46 IG: @hughm

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MAGIC MOMENT

LUKE STYKE Murray Bridge had 4 seasons in a day, with the rain making a late appearence at the start of the second MX1 moto

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RUPRECHT, MILNER, SNODGRASS AND HIGLETT ESTABLISH CHAMPIONSHIP SUPREMACY AT YAMAHA AORC Round 8 of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) was off to a flying start this morning, as the Senior class raced from the YZ 450FX Test Track for Sunday’s Sprint. The dusty conditions remained throughout the day of epic action. Although the conditions created a challenge for the riders, it forced the cream to rise to the top.

The E1, E2, E3 and Transmoto EJ within the Yamaha AORC are the ‘go-to’ destination for the nation’s most elite enduro riders. Sunday’s sprint racing consisted of four laps, the riders with the fastest accumulated times won the races. Winners were; Wil Ruprecht, Daniel

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Milner, Lyndon Snodgrass, and Fraser Higlett.

E1 It was a Yamaha one-two within the E1 class on Sunday. Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing Team’s Wil Ruprecht took a welldeserved victory for Round 8. Ruprecht suffered injury back at (Miva, QLD) and his victory shows he has recovered very well, helping to solidify his championship lead. Ruprecht took just 36:55.387 to finish the four laps. Up next was Snap Fitness Yamaha’s Scott Keegan. Keegan took the victory yesterday but didn’t quite have the pace to match Ruprecht, he finished approximately 25 seconds behind Ruprecht with his 37:21.656. The final podium spot belonged to Tom Jones on his Yamaha, finishing in the same position as yesterday. Jones registered an accumulated time of 37:51.620.

E2 This weekend once again belonged to Daniel Milner of the KTM Enduro Team.

Milner remains undefeated for Yamaha AORC in 2017. Milner described the successful weekend.

“The racing was a lot of fun, Lyndon and myself have both enjoyed great results,” Milner said. “I did all I could out there to win and we’ve got the right team to achieve those results. It was tricky out there and it got really powdery. It took a while to adjust to the conditions but it was awesome to be honest. There was a bit of hard packed down terrain that had a sharp edge to it. We’re all dealing with the same conditions though, I just wanted to go out there, hit the sand and get the desired result!”

Riley Graham has been one of the standout riders of the weekend, and has provided Milner with a challenge at times.

Graham is a local rider and has really taken to the Renmark track. Graham on the Yamaha finished approximately 15 seconds behind with a 35:14.966.

Josh Green once again finished in third 163

place. Typically, Green has been Milner’s greatest threat but couldn’t quite manage to compete for the victory. The Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing Team rider finished with a 35:56.460.

E3 The standout rider all weekend for E3 has been Lyndon Snodgrass. KTM Enduro Team rider Snodgrass has been in a heated battle with Husqvarna Enduro Team‘s Lachlan Stanford of the Husqvarna Enduro Team all year long.

Stanford registered a time of 35:12.698.

This weekend’s results have gone a long way to put Snodgrass back in control of the championship fight. Snodgrass managed to finish approximately 33 seconds in front of Stanford. Tom Mason was the final podium placer on a KTM. Mason finished only five seconds behind Stanford with a time of 37:51.620.

Transmoto EJ Fraser Higlett once again took victory for the Under 19’s Transmoto EJ class on his Husqvarna. Higlett simply keeps getting better and better and his pace around the Renmark tracks was sensational with a time of 36:45.036. Nic Tomlinson had an impressive switch this weekend to a Yamaha. Only five seconds separated Higlett and Tomlinson with a time of 36:50.394. Michael Driscoll finished the podium places for EJ, he finished a further four seconds behind on his Yamaha.

Driscoll registered a 36:59.764.

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E3 Provisional Results 1. Lachlan Stanford – 53:46.445 2. Lyndon Snodgrass – 54:03.166 3. Tom Mason – 55:00.503 4. Beau Ralston – 55:08.537 5. Chris Perry – 57:40.109 6. Jesse Lawton – 57:50.716 7. Anthony Venn – 59:40.757 8. Luke Bunnik – 1:02:25.932 E2 Provisional Results 1. Daniel Milner – 53:01:949 2. Joshua Green – 53:45.256 3. Riley Graham – 54:13:447 4. Stefan Granquist – 55:30.665 5. Andrew Wilksch 55:35:102 6. Christopher Davey – 57:12.919 7. Peter Boyle – 57:13.980 8. Ben Grabham – 58:27.716 9. Jamie Robins – 58:32.080 10. Alex Stephenson – 58:46.742 E1 Provisional Results 1. Wil Ruprecht – 53:49.810 2. Jack Simpson – 53:52.255 3. Scott Keegan – 55:16.619 4. Brad Hardaker – 56:17.394 5. Baylee Davies – 57:30.266 6. Peter-Daniel Allan – 59:14.688 7. Bayley Burt – 59:22.114 8. Craig Prout – 1:00:12.333 9. Justin Parker – 1:00:33.127 10. Matthew Zygarlicki – 1:00:54.352 Transmoto EJ Provisional Results 1. Michael Driscoll – 55:55.362 2. Reynders Jonte – 56:38.699 3. Nic Tomlinson – 56:43.899 4. Johnson Dalton – 57:19.786 5. Fraser Higlett – 57:20.646 6. Jacob Peacock – 58:37.473 7. Broomhall Seton – 59:22.971 8. Rick Ireland – 1:00:37.003 9. Lachlan Skinner – 1:00:39.557 10. Lachlan Allan – 1:00:54.158

JUNIORS BRIERLEY, RUDD AND RIORDAN BLITZ THE BLU CRU TRACK AT YAMAHA AORC The Junior competitors of the 2017 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) excelled at Round 8 on the wide-open KTM test track at Renmark in South Australia, where a number of interesting stories developed. Respective Junior class standouts included Mason Semmens, Jayden Rudd and Will Riordan J4 Motocross star, Mason Semmens further established himself as a very versatile rider by winning today’s sprint race in J4 class. The KTM rider dethroned Joshua Brierley from his undefeated winning streak. Semmens finished with a final time of 21:31.079. Brierley despite missing out on the win, can be resolute in the fact that he still has a significant championship lead.

The Husqvarna rider finished with a time of 22:06.287. The final podium placer for J4 was Corey Hammond. The rider managed to finish with a total accumulated time of 22:45.874 on board his KTM.

J3 Local hero Jayden Rudd was the eventual winner of the J3 sprint race. The victory gave Rudd yet another clean sweep in 2017. Rudd’s training and preparation is paying off handsomely as the KTM rider finished with a total time of 23:08.485.

Husqvarna mounted Matthew Pye was Rudd’s closest challenger, his time 24:23.234. Ned Chapman shot up the placings today to finish third with a time of 24:25.312. Only approximately two seconds off Pye. J2 Wil Riordan was the standout in the J2’s, finishing first in class. The J2 Championship leader, Riordan will now enjoy a significant gap in points after a clean sweep this weekend. KTM mounted Riordan finished with a time of 24:29.852. Taj Gow-Smith impressed onlookers to come second with his total time of of 25:25.550, on a Yamaha. Kyron Bacon still managed to 165

attain a podium place but dropped down to third, after coming second on Saturday.

Bacon’s time was a 25:35.463.

Provisional Results J4 1. Mason Semmens – 21:31.079 2. Joshua Brierley – 22:06.287 3. Corey Hammond – 22:45.874 4. Mitchell Brierly – 22:58.683 5. Nathan Howe – 23:20.749 6. Connor Adams – 23:38.022 7. Colby Mccall – 23:50.845 8. Cooper Sheidow – 23:53.254 9. Dex Kelly – 24:17.522 10.Connor Gee – 24:25.055 Provisional Results J3 1. Jayden Rudd – 23:08.485 2. Matthew Pye – 24:23.234 3. Ned Chapman 24:25.312 4. Max Price – 25:43.341 5. Cody Short – 25:52.225 6. Jared Watson – 26:02.782 7. Mackyle Thomson – 26:29.534 8. Mitchell Mclean – 27:11.735 9. Dustin Doolan – 27:42.814 10.Cam Nathan 28:14.357 Provisional Results J2 1. Will Riordan – 24:29.852 2. Taj Gow-Smith – 25:25.550 3. Kyron Bacon – 25:35.463 4. Jack Bithell – 26:34.819 5. Mackenzie Johnson – 26:43.503 6. Kyran Haydon – 26:47.956 7. Jasper Franklin – 27:01.864 8. Maxwell Liebeknecht 27:06.105 9. Harry Newbold – 27:06.105 10. Jack McClean – 27:46.586

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