Ferris wins Thor MX1 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.

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.

Kirk Gibbs

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 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.

Dean Ferris

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 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.

Todd Waters

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.

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.

Dean Ferris

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.

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 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. 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.”

MX1 Murray Bridge Podium

Thor MX1 Round 5 Results

Dean Ferris – 67 points – Yamaha
Kirk Gibbs – 65 points – KTM
Brett Metcalfe – 62 points – KTM
Kade Mosig – 56 points – Yamaha
Luke Clout – 50 points – Honda
Todd Waters – 50 points – Honda
Kyle Peters – 48 points – Suzuki
Luke Styke – 47 points – KTM
Aleksandr Tonkov – 45 points – Kawasaki
Zak Small – 41 points – Husqvarna

Thor MX1 Championship Standings

Dean Ferris – 356 points – Yamaha
Kirk Gibbs – 308 points – KTM
Kade Mosig – 279 points – Yamaha
Todd Waters – 277 points – Honda
Luke Styke – 262 points – KTM
Kyle Peters – 230 points – Suzuki
Luke Clout – 223 points – Honda
Aleksandr Tonkov – 218 points – Kawasaki
Brett Metcalfe – 173 points – KTM
Keiron Hall – 173 points – Husqvarna

Harwood secures maiden Motul MX2 victory

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.

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.

Hamish Harwood

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).

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.

Hamish Harwood

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.

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.

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.

Mitchell Evans

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.
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 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.

Hamish Harwood – Davey Motorsports – Round 5 Winner says, “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. 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.”

MX2 Podium – Murray Bridge

Motul MX2 Round 5 Results

Hamish Harwood – 65 points – KTM
Egan Mastin – 62 points – KTM
Mitchell Evans – 59 points – Yamaha
Dylan Wills – 56 points – Husqvarna
Wilson Todd – 54 points – Yamaha
Jackson Richardson – 54 points – Yamaha
Richie Evans – 48 points – Yamaha
Tomas Ravenhorst – 44 points – Yamaha
Jayden Rykers – 41 points – KTM
Joel Evans – 40 points – Yamaha

Motul MX2 Championship Standings

Wilson Todd – 311 points – Yamaha
Mitchell Evans – 305 points – Yamaha
Hamish Harwood – 278 points – KTM
Jackson Richardson – 278 points – Yamaha
Egan Mastin – 277 points – KTM
Dylan Wills – 242 points – Husqvarna
Kyle Webster – 233 points – Honda
Aaron Tanti – 217 points – Yamaha
Jayden Rykers – 209 points – KTM
Richie Evans – 205 points – Yamaha

Roberts takes Pirelli MXD Championship lead

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.

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 mid-season 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.

Jy Roberts

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.

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 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.

Kaleb Barham

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

Kaleb Barham

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.

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

Jy Roberts – Husqvarna Australia – Round 5 Winner said, “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. 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.”

Pirelli MXD Round 5 Results