KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Luke Clout charged to a maiden premier class moto victory in the final outing of Sunday’s Pirelli MX Nationals at Ranch MX, which came following a pep-talk with team manager and multi-time Australian champion Jay Marmont.

Clout says he lodged strong starts all weekend long, however lacked the aggression to capitalise on them in the first three motos of the double-header round.

In the short five minutes between the newly-introduced back-to-back moto format, Marmont fired up the popular New South Welshman, ultimately resulting in an impressive 1.063s win over red-plate holder Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy).

“I was pretty consistent across the weekend, going 4-3 and 4-1, so it was good points for the double-header,” Clout commented. “I got good starts, but I did lack a bit of aggression, so Jay kicked me into gear for that last one. I rode really aggressive from the start and got myself into the lead and ended up with the win.

“I’m really, really pumped I’ve finally got the monkey off my back and it’s put me second in the championship. To stand on the podium in second overall is my best overall finish and to finish off with a race win is even better.”

Clout’s fourth and second overall finishes in the seventh and eighth rounds have promoted him to second in the standings as series heads into its final stages next month.