News 26 Oct 2009

Oz SX: Young gun Simmonds on podium for KTM at Geelong

MOTOREX KTM:

MOTOREX KTM RACE REPORT

EVENT INFORMATION
–          Round Two
–          Australian Supercross Championship
–          Skilled Stadium, Geelong VIC
–          Event date Saturday 24 October, 2009

ROUND RESULTS

Rider     Class    Bike    Home Town    State    Round result

Tye Simmonds
Pro Open
KTM 450 SX-F
Bourke
NSW
3rd

Kade Mosig
Pro Lites
KTM 250 SX-F
Pearcedale
VIC
DNS

Dylan Long
Junior Development
KTM 150 SX
Benalla
VIC
3rd

ROUND WINNERS

Rider     Class
Matt Moss    Pro Lites
Chad Reed    Pro Open
Dion Brillanti    Juniors

RIDERS DESCRIPTION OF THE TRACK

–          Awesome track favoured by many of the riders
–          Really flowing with interesting rhythm sections

QUOTES:

GLENN MACDONALD – Race Team Coordinator

“Round two of Super X saw some highs and lows for Motorex KTM Racing Team,” said Macdonald.  “Starting with the positives, who could look past young gun Tye Simmonds’ performance to claim his first Pro Open podium with third place, in only his second professional outing in the premier class.

“Tye drew Chad Reed in the man-on-man challenge, which some could say was the short straw, but when the gate dropped Tye took on Reed with no fear in his eyes, leading the sprint lap that determined gate placing in the final, right up the final whoop section, where the fastest whoop rider in the world passed him for the win.

“Tye’s battle with Reed gave him all the ammunition he needed to fire up his guns, and take charge in the final races where his consistency and speed all worked in his favour.  Tye is really adapting to the KTM 450 SX-F, and the depth of the competition in the Pro Open class.  To see Tye on the podium celebrating with such seasoned competitors was a real honour, and Motorex KTM Racing will continue to help him strive for all the success he deserves throughout this series.

“The Geelong round also introduced Junior Lites Racing, with GMR Motorex KTM competitor Dylan Long securing a third place on the podium.  Dylan rode the KTM 150 SX in three motos placing third in all races, which was his collective results overall for the round.

“Unfortunately it wasn’t all positives, and podiums for Motorex KTM Racing at Geelong, with our Pro Lites racer Kade Mosig injuring his knee in the Pro Lites heat race, which sidelined him for the event.  Kade Mosig can’t take a trick with re-occuring injuries, just when he is looking so strong.   Kade put in really impressive performances in practice and qualifying, and was the fastest qualifier in his draw.

“The extent of Kade’s knee injury is unclear at this time until he gets MRI scans, we’re hoping for his sake more than ours that they’re not extensive.”

TYE SIMMONDS – Pro Open

“It is awesome to be on the podium with guys like Chad Reed and Daniel Reardon, but I know I have a lot more to still learn in riding the KTM 450 SX-F, and about the competition at this level, so hopefully we can keep progressing, and chipping away to improve on results and develop my racing.

“I finished fourth in my heat, so I was pretty well placed. Then I took part in the man-on-man challenge, which was one hot lap against another rider. The results from the challenge went toward our grid selections for the finals.

“I drew Chad Reed, and although he got a good jump from the gate, I took advantage of him running wide in turn one.  I led for the whole lap until a tiny mistake at the end of the whoops, right before the finish line.  Chad got me by half a bike length at the flag.  Although I wanted the win badly, I was pretty happy with the challenge, and it really pumped me up for the finals.

“My finals were four races of six laps with a five minute break between each. I got a fifth, and a third in the first two races, and all was looking good for me.  I was brought down on turn one in race three, when another rider swerved to miss a tough-block. I lost the front end, and was in second last with Jay Marmont behind me.

“I had to pull over, and kick my front wheel straight because my bike was so bent from the crash. Once I got going, the field had really taken off, so I just knuckled down, and got into a good rhythm. I got back up to 12th, but it put a lot of pressure on me going into the final race.

“My mechanic Kenny Wheeler worked on the bike in the five minute break, and got it as straight as we could for race four.  I got a better start this time, and I had a tough battle with Cameron Taylor for a couple of laps, and once passed him I had to chase down Craig Anderson.  Ando ended up dropping it, so I moved into sixth.  I held that position to finish off the race, which gave me third overall of the round, my first podium in Pro Open racing.

“I really pumped now and can’t wait for the next round in Perth.  I want to say a big thanks to the whole team Motorex KTM Racing, my dad and uncle Scott who are great support, as well as the guys at Race Solutions who looked after my knee injury at Geelong.  I have a torn ACL and, their crew provided awesome support.”

KADE MOSIG – Pro Lites

“Round two of Super X really started well for me. I was riding so much stronger than round one of the Championship at Launceston last weekend, and thought that this was going to be a good event, but it all fell apart in the first heat,” said Mosig.

“I got an awesome jump from the gate in my heat race, and looked to be in the mix with the front runners, but there was a pile up, and I was hit from the side which took me down.

“I was then hit by a few riders coming through the turn, and somehow my knee twisted awkwardly.  I couldn’t bear weight on it, and there was no way I could even pick up my bike let alone finish the race.  My racing was over for the round, and I couldn’t be any more devastated than I am feeling right now.

“I’m getting an MRI which will determine the extent of the injury, I’m just hoping it doesn’t take me out of the series.”

DYLAN LONG (GMR Motorex KTM) – Junior Development Series

“I went into the Junior Lites racing with a shoulder injury that happened at the Junior Nationals about three weeks ago, so I wasn’t sure how I would stack up against the competition,” said Long.

“I wasn’t really sure if I was going to hold up until I went out to race.  I chose to ride the KTM 150 SX two stroke rather than my KTM 250SX-F, because I just haven’t had much time on the 250.  Also, the KTM 150 SX feels a lot lighter, and GMR Motorex KTM Racing thought it would be a good choice given my weak shoulder.

“I got solid starts against the rest of the field, and was quickly able to work my way to the front runners. I finished third in all three races, which gave me third overall for the event.  It’s always good to be on the top spot, but overall it’s pretty satisfying because, I now have two more weeks to prepare for the next round of the Junior Development Series at Canberra, and I can only improve from here.”

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