News 22 May 2016

Racefeed: 2016 MX Nationals Rd4 Murray Bridge

Post-race updates direct from the fourth round all day long.

Follow all the action direct from Murray Bridge’s fourth round of the 2016 Motul MX Nationals. MotoOnline.com.au will update this feature directly following each race as they happen throughout the round.

Image: MXN.

Image: MXN.

Practice/qualifying:
The GoPro Superpole at Murray Bridge belonged to CDR Yamaha’s red plate holder Dean Ferris, from Brett Metcalfe (SD3 Husqvarna), Matt Moss (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki), Kirk Gibbs (KTM Motocross Racing Team) and Todd Waters (Wilson’s Coolair Motul Suzuki). In MX2 it was Wilson Todd (Serco Yamaha) who led the way over Hamish Harwood (Davey Motorsports KTM), Jake Moss (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki), Caleb Ward (KTM Motocross Racing Team) and Nathan Crawford (Husqvarna). The MXD pole went to Kaleb Barham (SD3 Husqvarna) over Mitch Evans (Yamalube Yamaha), Jordan Hill (Yamalube Yamaha), Wade Kirkland (Raceline Pirelli KTM) and Connor Tierney (MXR&D Husqvarna).

Motul MX2 Moto 1:
A disruption to the timing and scoring system delayed the results, however once officially finalised it was Caleb Ward (KTM Motocross Racing Team) who was confirmed as the moto winner. Ward overcame red plate holder Jed Beaton (DPH Motorsport Yamaha) for the victory by around 17 seconds, while early leader Nathan Crawford (Husqvarna) completed the podium. Top of the two-strokes was Jayden Rykers (Davey Motorsports KTM) in fourth, closely trailed by pole-setter Wilson Todd (Serco Yamaha). Positions six through 10 were completed by Jake Moss (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki), Dylan Wills (Raceline Pirelli KTM), Dean Porter (KTM), Richie Evans (Yamaha) and Keiron Hall (Yamaha). Wade Hunter was a notable non-finisher, going under observation by RACESAFE, while Luke Arbon (SD3 Husqvarna) didn’t start following his injuries sustained testing on Saturday.

Pirelli MXD Moto 1:
In the opening MXD moto of the round points leader Connor Tierney (MXR&D Husqvarna) took victory by a comfortable margin of over five seconds, with Jordan Hill (Yamalube Yamaha) and Cooper Pozniak (KTM) following him across the line. Fourth was Wade Kirkland (Raceline Pirelli KTM), while Kaleb Barham (SD3 Husqvarna), Zak Small (Husqvarna), Lochie Latimer (Yamaha), Levi McManus (Suzuki) and Tyler McCoy (Yamaha) filled the top 10 placings.

Thor MX1 Moto 1:
A thrilling opening MX1 moto at Murray Bridge had fans watching closely this afternoon in South Australia as Wilson’s Coolair Motul Suzuki rider Todd Waters claimed his second race win of the season. In dry, windy conditions, Waters made his way through to the front of a five-rider freight train, eventually crossing the finish less than a second ahead of longtime leader Kade Mosig (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki), with points leader Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha) third. He got the better of defending champion Kirk Gibbs (KTM Motocross Racing Team) and Brett Metcalfe (SD3 Husqvarna) – that trio finishing just over two seconds apart. The top 10 was rounded out by Daniel Reardon (CDR Yamaha), Matt Moss (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki), Jacob Wright (DPH Motorsport Yamaha) on debut with his new team, Dylan Long (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) and Jesse Dobson (KTM Motocross Racing Team) upon return from injury.

Motul MX2 Moto 2:
A convincing performance from Ward saw his sweep the round with the moto two victory, making his way to the lead in the opening half of the race and he was never headed. It was the ultimate way to bounce back for the title favourite following a horror Broadford round, topping Crawford and opening laps leader Moss in the race. Beaton was directly behind for fourth at race’s end, while Porter turned heads to complete the top five. Wills, Todd, Hamish Harwood (Davey Motorsports KTM), Joel Wightman (Honda CRF Racing) and Hunter were the top 10 finishers. Overall for the round it was Ward who stood atop the rostrum, with Crawford second and title leader Beaton third. In terms of the championship it’s still Beaton who remains at the head of the standings, one point ahead of Crawford, while Moss is third. Ward moved all the way back up to fourth, now 20 outside the lead.

Thor MX1 Moto 2:
It came down to a battle of the South Australians in moto two of the MX1 division and, much to the delight of the local fans, reigning number one plate holder Gibbs charged to victory after overcoming initial pace-setter Metcalfe in the closing laps. Gibbs built an advantage in the final moments to best Metcalfe, while Waters made his way to third in the moto – enough to secure the overall. Fourth across the line was Ferris, from Moss, Mosig, Long, Daniel Banks (Davery Motorsports KTM), Wright and Luke Wilson (Wilson’s Coolair Motul Suzuki). Overall for today it was moto one winner Waters who claimed victory via his 1-3 finishes, bettering Gibbs’ 4-1, while Metcalfe concluded his homecoming – he’s now headed back to race the Canadian nationals – in third. The championship points now see Gibbs take charge by a point over Ferris and Waters a further four behind in third.

Pirelli MXD Moto 2:
The final MXD moto was won comfortably by Evans, the factory-supported YZ250F rider over 20 seconds ahead of the field in a strong finish to his round. However it was second in the race for points leader Tierney that sealed him the round win, extending his championship advantage in the process. Joining the duo on the podium was Kirkland, followed by Pozniak, Barham, Justin Hart (Husqvarna), Small, McManus, McCoy and Sam Pelz (Yamaha). For the round Tierney topped Kirkland and Pozniak, also leading the series from the same pair.

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