Motul Pirelli Suzuki rider Matt Moss raced to a perfect weekend during the Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, debut at Swan Hill in regional Victoria on Sunday, 11 August.

Moss claimed five points for GoPro Super Pole and both 30-minute moto wins aboard his RM-Z450, stretching an 11-point lead in the series with just two rounds remaining.

In Moss’ first appearance racing with the red plate, the former multiple MX2 champion was glorious following an intense battle with title rival Todd Waters during the round.

“It was exciting at the start of the year watching Todd dominate, but we’re both going for our first Open championship,” Moss said. “We’re getting heated, but that’s a part of racing – I’m sure if I wasn’t out there Todd wouldn’t be enjoying it.

“So it’s good to battle with him and I know it’s going to go down to the wire, I’m really looking forward to that. I really have to thank Motul Pirelli Suzuki, Jay Foreman, Jess and even Coops’ mechanic Nathan. We’ve worked hard and I’m really happy with the progress we’ve been making.”

Behind Moss was Waters with a pair of seconds. He was forced to fight back from a poor start in moto two, but eventually made his way into the runner-up position to keep his title hopes well and truly alive.

“In a perfect world we want to get a good start, but I enjoyed moto two,” Waters said. “I came from fourth or something, had a heap of fun and that’s what we’re here for. I’m building, obviously here to race for the championship, and we’ve had an interesting year.

“We’ll do our best at every race and this was a good start to come back. Matt’s riding really good, I look forward to racing him for the rest of the rounds. We’ve got another two weeks off now, so I’ll get back to my training and work for these final rounds.”

Waters’ Motorex KTM teammate Kirk Gibbs continues to shine in his rookie season, concluding the weekend with a solid pair of third place finishes. It promoted his podium tally to three on top of Broadford and Appin.

“This is my third podium now, but I feel like I need to get off this third step and work toward that top step,” Gibbs said. “Todd and Mossy rode really well today, but I had a good Super Pole and two great starts, so it’s paying off. The team’s working hard and it shows – we’re putting in a massive effort.”

Fourth overall today was Hervey Bay winner Billy Mackenzie (CDR Yamaha), himself finishing both motos in fourth as the team remains aboard the 2013 YZ450F. Fellow international Gareth Swanepoel (Carlton Dry Honda) rounded out the top five with a 6-5 scorecard.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s four-time champion Jay Marmont (8-7) continued his improvement in the season’s second half with a promising sixth place effort, edging out Kiwi champion Cody Cooper (Motul Pirelli Suzuki, 10-8). The top 10 was completed by Cheyne Boyd (Berry Sweet/Lucas Oil Yamaha, 7-9), Jake Moss (Campbell Mining Suzuki, 11-6) and Sam Martin (DPH Suzuki, 5-13).

Last year’s Victorian state champion Martin was a standout on local soil, making a surprise appearance in Super Pole and the scoring a satisfying fifth in the opening moto.

In the Motul MX2 ranks it was Serco Yamaha’s Luke Styke who won his seventh round of the season via yet another double moto win, building a 103-point lead in the process.

“I had to put on some smiles around the pits today, a few people were getting worried I was going 1-1 and still looked a bit angry,” Styke commented. “But that’s what separates me from everybody else I think, because even to go 1-1 I still want to get better so that’s the way I want to be.

“The concrete start mixes it up for everybody, but the track was great. Serco is hands down the best team to be with in MX2 and I’m really happy with this one today.”

Second saw a return to the podium for Queenslander Brock Winston, the Choice Motorsport KTM rider posting a consistent effort of 3-3.

“It’s just about building my confidence back up so I’m up here all the time,” Winston said. “I’ve been working hard on my starts and it paid off today. Styke and Makeham are running a really good pace, but I’m trying and will keep plugging away at it.

“The track today, if you pushed to hard you lost time, so you had to be patient and it was definitely tricky.”

Rookie wonder Kale Makeham (Tune Tech KTM) was again in fine form with second in moto one, however a flat tyre while challenging Styke for the win in moto two almost cost him his podium result. Still, he circulated to fifth and secured third overall.

“It was a shame to get that flat tyre in the final moto, but I brought it home and still got points, so that’s what matters,” Makeham said. “I was having so much fun at the start there, it was the first time I’ve been able to kind of get aggressive and try push Stykesy.

“I felt when I got the flat, so from there on it slowly went down and the last five laps were a struggle. It was probably one of the hardest motos I’ve ever had to do – both mentally and physically. I really want the runner-up place in this championship.”

Narrowly missing the podium in his best form of the season was another talented Victorian rookie in Dylan Long, the KTM privateer ended up fourth overall with 6-2 results. Rounding out the top five was Raceline Pirelli Suzuki rider Ryan Marmont (4-7).

Suzuki-mounted New Zealander Rhys Carter (8-4) was sixth, countryman Kayne Lamont (Choice Motorsports KTM, 5-6) seventh, Geran Stapleton (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki, 7-10) eighth, Takeshi Katsuya (Honda, 10-8) ninth and Beau Ralston (Yamaha, 9-9) 10th.

Series leader Hamish Harwood (CMR Red Bull KTM) extended his lead in the Pirelli MXD series for Under 19s contenders, going 1-3 for the overall. Behind Harwood was Hervey Bay winner Jay Wilson (GYTR Yamaha, 3-2).

Completing the podium was Crazy Dogs Kawasaki’s Jesse Dobson. He was eighth in moto one, but broke through to win the second in a memorable performance for the highly-acclaimed rookie.

Harwood now enjoys a commanding 37-point lead over early leader Jack Simpson (KTM), who finished fourth overall at Swan Hill.

The Monster Energy MX Nationals will resume when Toowoomba returns to the national calendar with the penultimate round on Sunday, 25 August.

2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round eight – Swan Hill, QLD

Monster Energy MX1 overall results:
1. Matt Moss 75
2. Todd Waters 66
3. Kirk Gibbs 64
4. Billy Mackenzie 56
5. Gareth Swanepoel 51
6. Jay Marmont 47
7. Cody Cooper 47
8. Cheyne Boyd 46
9. Jake Moss 45
10. Sam Martin 45
11. Lawson Bopping 42
12. Jacob Wright 40
13. Dylan Gosling 36
14. James Booth-Elliott 35
15. Jory Hancock 32
16. James Brown 15
17. Adam Monea 0

Monster Energy MX1 championship standings (after eight of 10 rounds):
1. Matt Moss 511
2. Todd Waters 500
3. Billy Mackenzie 461
4. Cody Cooper 429
5. Lawson Bopping 407
6. Kirk Gibbs 407
7. Jake Moss 388
8. Jay Marmont 333
9. Adam Monea 323
10. Tye Simmonds 273
11. Sam Martin 252
12. James Booth-Elliott 250
13. Cody Mackie 226
14. Jacob Wright 216
15. Daniel McCoy 209
16. Cheyne Boyd 149
17. Robbie Marshall 143
18. Kieran Tisdale 137
19. Gareth Swanepoel 134
20. Ford Dale 133

Motul MX2 overall results:
1. Luke Styke 70
2. Brock Winston 60
3. Kale Makeham 58
4. Dylan Long 57
5. Ryan Marmont 52
6. Rhys Carter 51
7. Kayne Lamont 51
8. GeranStapleton 45
9. Takeshi Katsuya 44
10. Beau Ralston 44
11. Daniel Banks 38
12. Peter Boyl 37
13. Wade Hunter 35
14. Daniel McEntee 33
15. John Prutti 32
16. Joel Green 30
17. Luke Wilson 29
18. Tristen Cachia 25
19. Mitch Norris 17

Motul MX2 championship standings (after eight of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 543
2. Kale Makeham 440
3. Brock Winston 414
4. Ryan Marmont 349
5. Geran Stapleton 349
6. Dylan Long 331
7. Takeshi Katsuya 324
8. Rhys Carter 306
9. Josh Cachia 305
10. Kayne Lamont 298
11. Luke Clout 285
12. Wade Hunter 271
13. Tristen Cachia 227
14. Kade Mosig 197
15. John Prutti 192
16. Daniel McEntee 185
17. Luke Wilson 178
18. Beau Ralston 167
19. Matt Ryan 160
20. Kieran Scheele 117

Pirelli MXD overall results:
1. Hamish Harwood 65
2. Jay Wilson 62
3. Jesse Dobson 58
4. Jack Simpson 56
5. Joel Wightman 50
6. Jake Emanuelli 50
7. Dylan Wills 48
8. Corey James 48
9. Joel Dinsdale 45
10. Nathan Trigg 43
11. Tomas Ravenhorst 38
12. Nathan Denny 38
13. Elijah Wiese 36
14. Dakota Court 35
15. Logan Blackburn 32
16. Bailey Coxon 31
17. Jordan Bissaker 30
18. Mitchell Nichols 27
19. Izak Maule 23
20. Sam Davie 22

Pirelli MXD championship standings (after six of eight rounds):
1. Hamish Harwood 372
2. Jack Simpson 335
3. Jay Wilson 319
4. Jesse Dobson 302
5. Joel Dinsdale 301
6. Corey James 276
7. Joel Wightman 271
8. Logan Blackburn 237
9. Jake Emanuelli 230
10. Dakota Court 192
11. Tomas Ravenhorst 183
12. Nick Scott 176
13. Joel Evans 138
14. Jesse McNally 118
15. Jordan Bissaker 113
16. Dylan Wills 112
17. Jesse Madden 109
18. Mitchell Nichols 108
19. Bailey Coxon 108
20. Meghan Rutledge 105

Click here for detailed results