Following a four-week break in the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, South Australia’s Murray Bridge will play host to round four of the 2011 title chase on Sunday, 8 May.

Contested on Mothers’ Day this year, South Australia will return to the Australian Motocross Championship calendar for the first time since 2009 and the sport’s top contenders look forward to returning to one of the most popular circuits in the country.

Last time out at Murray Bridge it was Victorian Cheyne Boyd who was victorious in the premier Pro Open category ahead of triple defending champion Jay Marmont as teammates at CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha.

Now, Boyd forms one half of the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing effort and currently sits fourth in the 2011 standings, and he’s confident that he can regain the race-winning form that he enjoyed at Murray Bridge back in ’09.

“Murray Bridge’s softer soil is the type that suits my riding style and it definitely boosts my confidence heading back to South Australia,” the 29-year-old explained.

“I had good results in both 2008 and 2009 at the circuit, but for sure with four shorter motos this season my main focus in the lead-up has been practicing starts.

“You can have all the pace in the world on track, but if you don’t get out of the gates then you’re going to struggle. The pace has picked up over the last year, so I for sure know it’s not going to be as easy to win as it was in 2009 at Murray Bridge.

“I know I’m going to be one of the fastest on that surface and on that track though, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Leading the charge into South Australia after three rounds contested to date is former Motocross World Championship runner-up Josh Coppins, the Kiwi replacing Boyd at Yamaha alongside Marmont.

Coppins currently maintains a nine-point advantage in the series after winning rounds two and three, while consistent 20-year-old Aussie rising star Dean Ferris (Monster Energy Kawasaki) sits second ahead of third placed Marmont.

In one of the most hotly contested seasons ever witnessed in Australian motocross, ranked fifth place behind Boyd is rookie wonder Lawson Bopping (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki), with round one winner Scotsman Billy Mackenzie (Monster Energy Kawasaki) sixth.

Next weekend will also see the return of another quick Kiwi in Cody Cooper, the Rockstar Motul Suzuki standout forced to skip round three following a rib injury and collapsed lung sustained in Sydney’s round.

Motul Pro Lites class leader Matt Moss (JDR Motorex KTM) has been in the United States since round three training with JDR Motorsports’ U.S. operation, and he is on track to extend his dominant 85-point lead. Moss, 22, was victorious in the Lites last time out at Murray Bridge in 2009 on his way to the championship for that season.

Slotting in behind Moss so far this year is last year’s series runner-up Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yoshimura Yamaha), who is South Australia’s great hope for a home round victory. Gibbs, 21, heads Moss’ teammate Brenden Harrison, who is third in the series to date.

The Pirelli Under 19s development category will also feature a South Australian title contender in 18-year-old Luke Arbon. From Gawler, but now based in Queensland during the season, Arbon won round one of the season and is second in the series heading into Murray Bridge.

Leading the Under 19s ahead of Arbon is Raceline Pirelli Suzuki’s Errol Willis, who won round two earlier this month in Sydney, and round three winner Dylan Peterson (Team 07 Axis Motorsport Honda) is third.

Round four of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be contested at Murray Bridge in South Australia on Sunday, 8 May. Practice and qualifying will commence at 8:30am with the official opening ceremonies taking place at approximately 10:30am.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au on the web for complete series and round information on the 2011 season.

Adults can gain entry to the event for $30, 5-15 year-old children for $15, or children under five years are free. A family pass for two adults and two children will set you back $70.