Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

The Serco Yamaha team kicked off their 2015 MX Nationals aspirations in the perfect fashion with a dominating performance at the opening round of the championship, at Horsham, Victoria.

The duo of Jed Beaton and Luke Clout white washed the day for the Serco team, each taking a moto win and securing two thirds of the podium in a team 1-2 result, respectively.

Beaton overcame some morning hi-cups to stamp his name as a legitimate championship contender and win the MX2 Class at the MX Nationals on debut. Beaton qualified well but was buried mid pack as the field rounded the first turn in race one. He then began a relentless charge towards the front, passing some of the most established names in Australian motocross to move into second place and with enough time to close in on the leader.

But, in the tricky and rutted Horsham track, Beaton miscued a rut and fell from his Serco Yamaha. Again he remounted and charged his way back into third place in an impressive showing in the 30 minute moto.

Race two and it was all Beaton. The popular Victorian got a good start, moved his way into the lead in the opening laps and then set a pace that couldn’t be matched. Beaton held a comfortable gap over his rivals for the entire moto and his 1-3 results were good enough to take the round win.

“I’m pretty pumped right now,” Beaton beamed. “I had put in a big off season and it’s nice to get a reward for that effort. My brother, my family and the Serco Yamaha team have all put in a huge effort and I’m so proud of what we did here today.

“I also really enjoyed racing the MX2 class. I have never really raced much with a lot of these guys and it was good that the top four or five of us could race real close and not do anything silly.

“I can’t wait to get out there and do it all again at Appin in two weeks’ time,” Beaton ends.

The round victory came down to a race between the Serco Yamaha team mates as Clout motored to victory in race one. He sliced his way into the lead and began to extend the gap when he fell and dropped a couple of positions. He then was quickly remount and get back up to speed before moving into the lead to take the opening race of the championship.

Race two had Clout sitting third before moving into second before the mid-way point and seemingly he had done enough to win the day if he held onto second place by the chequered flag. But officials then announced he has received a 10 second penalty for an on-track issue which would drop him back to fourth in the moto.

That was how the race ended and with the amended 1-4 results from the two races, Clout was forced to settle for second place on the day.

“I’m a bit disappointed by the penalty but it’s hard to argue it and I have to accept the officials’ decision, Clout said. “I felt my riding was good, as well as my speed and fitness so as long as I can continue to maintain that, then I think things will be fine.

“Starting the opening round in second is ok and the championship is now on. Round two is at my home track at Appin, so I’m really looking forward to racing there,” he ends.

Round two of the championship now heads for the western Suburbs of Sydney with the Appin Motocross Complex hosting the next round on April 12. A big crowd is expected at the venue and the action will again be furious on the track.