With testing the name of the game for the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing team following the MX Nationals at Raymond Terrace last month, technicians in two countries have worked tirelessly to ensure the Pro Open pilots are extracting peak performance from their CRF450 machines.

While Cheyne Boyd tested at a number of tracks throughout regional Victoria with the factory, Melbourne-based team, teammate Michael Phillips was back in New Zealand, testing with his home-based Honda mechanics.

The duo are hoping the combined data will give them an extra edge when the series hits South Australia’s Murray Bridge Motocross track this weekend.

“We went testing straight after the last round and really focused on suspension,” Boyd explained. “We have also been riding at a lot of different circuits so we could test the bike setups across a variety of surfaces and I think we have come away with a really good package.

“The past two weeks have been really settled and I am very happy with the bike. We have now backed off the testing side a little bit so I can concentrate on my own riding.

“I am actually arriving at the practice track now to do nothing but starts so hopefully I will get off the line a bit better this weekend. I am looking forward to Murray Bridge, I love the track and I usually do better on a softer sandy layout.”

While many enjoyed a break over Easter, Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Michael Phillips was hard at work – riding, testing and training to ensure he is in peak form for this weekend’s event.

“There was definitely no break,” Phillips said of the Easter period. “I have been doing a lot of testing with Honda NZ and the past two weeks I have been riding on sandy tracks to make sure I am prepared for the Murray Bridge track.

“While the team in Australia has been testing I have also been working with the guys back home and we will come together tomorrow to combine the feedback and results,” he added.

In other positive news for the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing Team, young gun Todd Waters has resumed riding after 10 weeks sidelined to recover from a broken scaphoid sustained while training for the MX Nationals opener.

The team will monitor his return to training and hope to have him competing in the near future.

The Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing Team is calling for motocross fans to join them for dinner on Saturday, 7 May at the Murray Bridge Hotel.

The entire team will meet and greet with race fans at the iconic Murray Bridge Hotel before sitting down for an official pre-race team dinner.