Finishing second in the MX2 standings marked a career-best result for Penrite CRF Honda Racing’s Kyle Webster following the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals finals, marking the first championship podium of his career.

The 23-year-old Western Australian was relentless in his pursuit of a first national championship in the challenging sands of Coolum, pressuring eventual champion Wilson Todd the entire way but falling short of the title.

Defending champion Todd was able to remain composed for an important double victory across rounds nine and 10, Webster scored second on Saturday to keep his title hopes alive. He scored the runner-up result again in the final round and won the last moto of the season, sealing P2 in the championship standings.

“Wilson was on it this year and you can’t take that away from him,” commented Webster. “I’m pumped to be here – I haven’t been here in a championship before – because it’s the first time for me and the team.

“It was a good way to finish off the weekend with the [moto] win, of course, we always want to win, but we’ll take this and I’m definitely stoked with it. We’ll try chase this again and hopefully get back after it next year.”

Webster has been a mainstay at the official Honda MX2 team in recent seasons aboard the CRF250R, previously scoring a best series result of fifth in 2017. He won multiple rounds in 2019 including both at the Murray Bridge double-header and Maitland.