Moss, Styke and Harwood clinch 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals titlesTeam Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Matt Moss wrapped up the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, after finishing third overall during the weekend’s season finale in Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The 25-year-old added the MX1 crown to his 2009 and 2011 MX2 titles, winning the first 30-minute moto at Coolum before sealing the title with a calculated ninth in moto two. Winner of Coolum was Motocross World Championship-bound Todd Waters (Motorex KTM), taking out the GoPro Super Pole and then racing to 3-1 results for the overall. Waters was gracious in defeat, finishing runner-up for the second season in a row with a 16-point deficit to Moss following a hard-fought season. Rounding out the podium was CDR Yamaha’s Billy Mackenzie, racing to a pair of seconds during the motos. He led much of moto two, but a crash mid-moto forced him to settle for second. Mackenzie wrapped up third overall in the championship, with his lone victory of 2013 coming at Hervey Bay’s seventh round. Moss’ teammate Cody Cooper put forward a consistent effort in fourth with a 5-3 scorecard, beating home Waters’ teammate Kirk Gibbs. Gibbs was eighth in moto one despite a heavy early fall, but rode to fourth in the second moto. In the Motul MX2 ranks it was Luke Styke who again confirmed his form as Australian champion, the newly-crowned title winner going 1-1 for his ninth overall of the season. Second overall was Sunshine Coast local Brock Winston (Choice Motorsports KTM) with 2-2 finishes, however he led much of the opening moto before Styke struck in the closing laps. That result cemented him third overall for the season, one of the year’s revelations in his full time return to the sport. Completing Coolum’s MX2 podium was rookie wonder Kale Makeham (Tune Tech Racing KTM), making it six straight podiums to close the season on his way to runner-up in the title race behind Styke. Makeham rebounded from a frustrating fall in moto one to end up third, and he replicated that result in the second outing of the weekend. Fourth for the round was Kiwi Rhys Carter (Suzuki) with fourth in both motos, while young Victorian Dylan Long (KTM) raced to fifth via 6-5 results. CMR Red Bull KTM rider Hamish Harwood made it the second year in succession that a New Zealand rising star won the Pirelli MXD title, following in the footsteps of Kayne Lamont 12 months ago. Harwood clinched the title with third in moto one aboard his 250 SX, before winning moto two in style to conclude his Under 19s campaign. Winning overall at Coolum was series runner-up Jay Wilson (GYTR Yamaha), claiming the first moto victory before finishing behind Harwood in the second. A new face stood upon the podium in MXD at Coolum, Caleb Ward (KTM), who made his return from injury at Toowoomba and then rode to third today with 2-3 performances. Coolum’s KTM 2-Stroke Cup round was won by TM Racing Australia’s new signing Nick Sutherland, while former MXD title winner Errol Willis (Yamaha) wrapped up the title with second overall. Second in the series belonged to Tyson Cherry (Yamaha), with Ryan Perry (Yamaha) third. In the Veterans 30-39 Years it was Cheyne Boyd (Berry Sweet/Lucas Oil Yamaha) who swept the round and took his maiden national title from Cameron Taylor (Yamaha) and Travis Regeling (Honda). The Veterans 40 years title was captured by Mark Oberthur (Suzuki) ahead of Paul Novak (KTM) and Clint Andrewartha (Suzuki). Today’s round was topped by Oberthur over Novek and Mitch Rowe (KTM).
2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Monster Energy MX1 results:
Monster Energy MX1 championship standings (after 10 of 10 rounds):
Motul MX2 results:
Motul MX2 championship standings (after 10 of 10 rounds):
Pirelli MXD results:
Pirelli MXD championship standings (after eight of eight rounds): Courtesy MX Nationals / WEM |