Yamaha hit the track for the first time in over 18 months, making it the longest pre season in history. But, national motocross roared back to life last weekend as the newly named, Pro MX (Australian Motocross Championship) got underway at the popular Wonthaggi circuit in Gippsland Victoria.

CDR Yamaha showed off their new look for 2021, leading the charge for the Yamaha teams.

CDR Yamaha hit round one all systems go with both riders fighting fit and desperate to make the 2021 season their own in the premier MX1 (450cC) division. Luke Clout returned to the team after a stint in the USA in 2020 and has picked up where he left off while Hayden Mellross has put an injury riddled year behind him and is back up and firing on all cylinders.

Team owner, Craig Dack, has been vocal and confident in his 2021 line up in the lead up to the series with both riders in their physical and mental prime for motocross. On top of that, the team have the YZ450F working perfectly and are confident of a good start to the year on a tough and challenging track.

Yamaha Australia kept all their major race teams intact throughout COVID as all four teams hit the track last weekend

“I think I speak on behalf of everyone in Australian motocross when I say that I can’t wait to go racing this weekend,” Dack begins. “2020 had challenges in so many ways but it’s so good to finally get past a lot of that stuff and actually get some bikes back on the track at a national level and go racing.”

“The team is in great shape with not many changes over the time. Our long term and loyal sponsors have stayed with us and the YZ450F was relatively unchanged from 2020 to 2021 so we are ready to go.”

The Serco Yamaha team headed into the MX2 class last weekend with two top tier riders.

The 1-2 punch of Nathan Crawford and Jesse Dobson form a formidable duo in the MX2 (250cc) class as Serco Yamaha put the finishing touches on their 2021 preparations. Dobson retains his ride with the Queensland based team after a promising local season last year while Crawford returns from stint in Europe.

With Serco being a distributor of motorcycle products throughout Australia, the race team often reflects the range Serco supply to the industry. The most obvious change is the move to SEVEN gear for both riders in 2021. One thing that didn’t change is the team will again use the potent YZ250F in their quest for championship success.

They have backing from one of the largest MX part suppliers in Australia, who also sponsor ProMX.

“Its all starting to get serious now and the anxious nerves are building as round one looms closer,” explains team owner, Gavin Eales. “The race truck has been parked up for way too long so the reality of racing really hit the team the other week when the truck was fired up and any last minute changes or altercations made.”

The Yamalube truck will be over flowing in 2021 as three riders now work under the awning this season. Experienced campaigner and former champ, Jay Wilson returned and has two MX2 debutants in Levi Rogers and Rhys Budd alongside him.

The Yamalube team will feature three riders in 2021, Jay Willson returned with two new riders by his side.

Wonthaggi marked the first national race for Rogers and Budd in the hotly contested MX2 class but both have lined up alongside many of the countries top riders in pre season events and have shown they are more than capable of mixing it with the established names.

Wilson is back and determined to make the 2021 season his best yet. He is also a great sounding board for the younger riders as the team continues to develop riders for Yamaha.

Levi Rodgers hit the main stage in the MX2 class for the first time in 2021 onboard his new Yamaha.

“We have a good blend of youth and experience for 2021 with two young riders looking to make a name for themselves while Jay is the elder statesmen that can offer guidance and knowledge throughout the year,” Mike Ward of the Yamalube teams offers.

The WBR Yamaha Bulk Nutrients Team will be busy on race weekends as they have three riders with them in 2021 contesting two classes. Two time NZ MX champ, Maximus Purvis returned to the team but move up to the MX1 class for the new season, while Yamaha young gun, Alex Larwood made his MX2 debut. The team also are working with Liam Andrews in a support ride for the 2021 season.

Alex Larwood also made his MX2 debut on the WBR Yamaha Bulk Nutrients bike alongside Maximus Purvis.

Only a week ago, Purvis wrapped up his second MX2 NZ championship, but his time is often spent on the larger capacity 450cc machine. He has since landed in Australia, finalised his settings and will be a real dark horse in the MX1 class on the Yamaha YZF450F.

Yamaha will also have a presence in the newly formed MX3 class that will see the nations’ best 14-17 year old riders fight it out in a high profile and professional setting. GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing Riders of Ryder Kingsford, Kobe Drew, Jackson Camilleri and Pat Martin will all be in attendance and looking to make round one a winner as they compete on their YZ250F’s.

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