MotoOnline.com.au takes a closer look and assesses the Hits and Misses following a challenging fourth round of the 2017 Motul MX Nationals at Horsham in Victoria.

Hit

Hamish Harwood (Davey Motorsport KTM) – MX2, second overall – MX1, seventh overall:
It’s truly impressive seeing a rider race dual categories on one day, that’s something that a limited amount of riders have done over the years and it’s very clear why. Harwood battled through the challenging conditions all day in both the MX1 and MX2 classes to come out with a great result overall. Seeing the Kiwi on the podium in MX2 with a second-place finish as the MX1 riders were ready to go behind the gate was truly a unique sight to see. Harwood grabbed his MX2 trophy, sprayed the champagne and then lined up for MX1 moto two right away to wrap up seventh overall in the big boy class aboard his 300cc KTM two-stroke machine – awesome effort.

Luke Styke (KTM Motocross Racing Team) – MX1, third overall:
Following an extended time away from the sport due to an achilles injury that haunted the factory KTM rider for quite some time, Styke captured his first overall podium finish since Coolum’s season-finale in 2015. It was a huge step in the right direction for the former MX2 champion as he joined teammate Kirk Gibbs and CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris on the box following a rather challenging time in his career.

Kyle Webster (Penrite CRF Honda Racing) – MX2, third overall:
The Western Australian was very strong in the treacherous conditions at Horsham and was rewarded with his first podium finish of the 2017 season. After scoring sixth, ninth and sixth-place finishes during the opening three rounds of the season, it was a substantial leap forward for the Penrite CRF Honda Racing rider who now sits sixth overall in the current MX2 championship rankings.

Miss

Egan Mastin (Davey Motorsport KTM): MX2, eighth overall:
Following a strong season to date, Mastin saw himself battling throughout the day in Horsham with the muddy conditions getting the best of him during moto one where he finished 12th out of the 13 riders to cross the line. Moto two saw the KTM-backed racer finsih up in sixth position, but his combined 12-6 total was only enough for eighth-place overall, a sub-par result for the former moto winner.

Jayden Rykers (Raceline Pirelli KTM): MX2, 14th overall:
It was a challenging round for the Western Australian MX2 contender in Horsham as he failed to finish inside of the top 10. Rykers kicked off his day with a DNF in moto one where just 13 riders finished the 30-minute race. Heading into moto two it was vital for Rykers to hit back with a strong result, but the Raceline Pirelli KTM rider was only able to put together an eighth-place ride which saw him finish 14th overall for the day.

Mitch Evans (Serco Yamaha): MX2, fifth overall:
Fifth overall definitely isn’t the worst result on earth, but for Serco Yamaha’s Mitch Evans it was a costly one in Horsham. Evans struggled all day in the mud and found himself in unfortunate positions multiple times. Following two-straight 1-1 sweeps leading into round four, Evans’ streak came to an end as Wilson Todd claimed both moto victories and stole the series leading red plate back. Evans will enter this weekend’s Murray Bridge round now 11 points behind the DPH Motorsport Yamaha rider with six rounds remaining on the calendar.