Carlton Dry Honda’s three-prong factory effort will look to factor at the front of the MX1 and MX2 class Monster Energy MX Nationals fields this weekend after solid progress on bike setup was made during a week of testing.

After a trying opening hit-out at Raymond Terrace, MX1 riders Ford Dale and Daniel McCoy have put their heads down in search of a better feel aboard their pair of CRF450Rs entering Murray Bridge in South Australia this Sunday.

Dale has based himself in Melbourne for the past week, working closely with technical adviser Pip Harrison and mechanic Lee Walker. He’ll line-up this weekend using the KYB PSF Air Fork for the first time this season.

“I have spent the past week testing in Melbourne with the team which has been really valuable,” Dale said. “We made some really good improvements and I am feeling a lot more comfortable on the bike.

“Murray Bridge is a great track, it is fast and suits my style of riding. I was on the podium there last year so I will be looking for a good result this weekend.”

McCoy spent the time testing in the Hunter Valley, with team manager Chris Woods helping him to work through a program of suspension changes.

“I am excited about this weekend, I am feeling a lot more comfortable on the bike and Murray Bridge is a track that I have done quite well at in the past,” said McCoy.

“Of course my goal for this weekend is to finish as high up the ladder as possible but I also want to come away with two consistent races under my belt.”

MX2 class frontrunner Josh Cachia has shown strong initial speed aboard the CRF250R and hopes he can be a force again this weekend as he welcomes family and friends to what is now his own home track.

“I am really looking forward to this weekend,” Cachia said. “This is my hometown event and I am going to have a lot of people there supporting me.

“The past few days I have been in Melbourne testing with the team. We made a few changes based on what we learnt at the opening round and definitely made more progress.

“My starts at Raymond Terrace were phenomenal, so I want to try and replicate them and get out in front from the start.”