CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Aaron Tanti has begun his 2023 ProMX title defence strongly with a narrow count-back win at Appin today.

In searingly hot conditions, Tanti and returning former champion Dean Ferris (Brisbane Motorcycles Yamaha) split race wins, both finishing with 45 points.

After securing pole position, Dean Ferris escaped first-turn chaos at the start of the opening MX1 moto that took down CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Luke Clout and Boost Mobile Honda Racing’s Kyle Webster.

Ferris quickly checked out from the chasing MX1 pack, and by the time he crossed the finish-line, he’d stretched out a 33-second lead over second-placed Kirk Gibbs (KTM Racing Team).

Tanti and Jed Beaton (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) finished a hard-fought third and fourth respectively after both starting on the cusp of the top 10.

Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing’s Todd Waters crossed the line in fifth, ahead of Brett Metcalfe (GO24 KTM), Matt Moss (WBR Yamaha), and Hamish Harwood (KTM). Clout clawed his way back to P9 after going down in the first turn, with Joel Evans (Honda) rounding out the top 10.

Ferris tore off the gate with another good holeshot in the first of the back-to-back races, with Tanti and Clout giving chase.

Midway through the shortened moto, Ferris crashed hard and remounted in 13^th, handing Tanti the race lead and eventually a four-second race win over his team-mate Clout.

Beaton and Webster finished in the top four, as Ferris rebounded to take fifth. Harwood, Gibbs, Moss, Metcalfe and Waters finished P6-P10.

Ferris made it three holeshots from three race starts with another perfect gate-jump in the second of the MX1 back-to-back races.

In the energy-sapping heat he cruised to a comfortable six-second lead over Beaton and Tanti, who held their positions from the first turn.

Clout and Waters finished fourth and fifth respectively, as Gibbs, Webster, Harwood, Jai Walker (KTM) and Metcalfe filled the top 10 positions.

Moss, who was circulating inside the top 10, retired late in the race.

The next round of the ProMX championship will be held at Wodonga, VIC on 16 April.

Detailed results