Youthful contender granted third at Queensland's MX Nationals.
Bittersweet is the only word to describe Caleb Ward’s maiden podium in the MX1 ranks of the Pirelli MX Nationals at yesterday’s ninth round in Gladstone, Queensland.
The Davey Motorsport Husqvarna rider was promoted to third overall following a post-race penalty being handed down to initial runner-up Mitch Evans (Raceline Pirelli KTM), demoting the KTM rider to fourth in both the final outing and overall standings for the day.
However, with the results being recalculated after the category’s podium presentation, the 21-year-old was unable to celebrate alongside Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team) and Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing).
“There’s a bit of a sour taste in my mouth,” Ward revealed to MotoOnline.com.au. “It’s not a great one, I would’ve like to have done it straight up and preferred there being no doubt about the situation. It’s not the way I would’ve like to have done it, but I feel like my riding was really good.
“If a few little things went differently, it would’ve have been a lot easier. There were a few things that didn’t go right, but it is what it is. I’m just going to try and get it done again this weekend with two solid motos. It’s one of those things where wasn’t great how it went down, but it is racing at the end of the day.”
Ward went 4-2 at the penultimate round which now positions him sixth in the championship ahead of this weekend’s season finale at Coolum.