The tenth and final round of the Monster Energy Australian MX Nationals went down on the Sunshine Coast in Coolum, Queensland. The boys from Juka Productions were there to catch all of the action.

Luka Raubenheimer and James Harrison are the talented sixteen-year-olds behind Juka Productions. Their partnership and love of filming started at age twelve when they found their Dad’s old video camera and started making surf and skate movies of each other. In a short few years, they have become well known as the digital eyes of youth-culture on the northern Sunshine Coast of Queensland.

They possess a raw passion and dazzling talent to ‘capture the essence’ of the people and places that they film. A recent opportunity to film the Monster Energy Kawasaki team at the Coolum MX Nationals has taken their films and future goals to new heights.

With more than 25,000 views already credited to their channel, the boys are determined to expand both their audience and their punchy collection. If it’s got anything to do with mate ship, coastal living and action sports, keep your eye out for Juka Productions.

MUSIC
Song: The Bonesman
Band: Behind Crimson Eyes
www.behindcrimsoneyes.com

Retiring CDR Yamaha rider Josh Coppins clinched his first MX1 Australian Motocross Championship series victory at Coolum in Queensland on Sunday, 26 August, in the final round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals.

The former world championship number two battled to second overall at the season finale, with 2-1-2 finishes on a YZ450F in a trio of action-filled motos. The New Zealander’s eventual winning margin in the series was 11 points, capping off a brilliant professional career with the national title.

“I’m really happy for the team, its staff and all of the CDR Yamaha sponsors,” the 35-year-old commented. “Everybody has all been working really hard, so this is a rewarding result. It’s been a great series to be a part of, there is a lot of great teams and a lot of good kids coming up. This is a nice way to finish off my career.”

Coppins edged out talented 21-year-old Gold Coast resident Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) in the series, however he was able to conclude his season on top of the podium with the overall victory on the Sunshine Coast. Waters won motos one and three, plus scored second in moto two.

“We did everything that we could do to win this championship, but on a positive note we end the season knowing that we were the fastest around Coolum,” Waters reflected. “It’s nice to know, but to be honest we ran out of time. We kept Josh honest the whole way, but as soon as I got it down to a few points he’d put it straight back up. I’m pumped for Josh and he deserves it.”

Completing the podium for both the round and series was another Kiwi in Cody Cooper (Motul Pirelli Suzuki). A trio of thirds at Coolum elevated him to a podium position in the series, gaining the position on count-back due to having more race wins during the year than fourth place finisher Brad Anderson (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing). Rounding out the top five was Coppins’ teammate Lawson Bopping.

Four-time series champion Jay Marmont (Monster Energy Kawasaki) was sixth in the series, one position ahead of top privateer Jake Moss (Campbell Mining/TLD/Maxima/Honda). For his inspired efforts, Moss took home the Andrew McFarlane Cup as leading MX1 privateer in 2012.

Sunshine Coast local Ford Dale won his first Australian Motocross Championship in the Motul MX2 category for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing aboard a CRF250R. In a nail-biting decider, Dale claimed fourth overall with two sixths and a third at Coolum, concluding the season with a two-point advantage.

“This is just amazing,” Dale said. “I am totally overwhelmed. I have had my fair share of ups and downs but if feels so good to finally claim this title.
It has been an incredible journey and I couldn’t have gotten here without the support of such an amazing team.”

The round was won by JDR/KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Cachia, who claimed victory in motos one and three, but had to settle for second in moto two after stalling while leading. Cachia ended the series third, six points in arrears of Dale following a lightening finish to the season.

“I did all I could do,” Cachia commented. “I came out here to win and I did win – I hung it out because that’s what I had to do. I didn’t get all three wins, but I got two wins and one second when I stalled the bike. I’m just happy with the year I’ve had. I get to come out here and race pretty much all my friends, so it’s mad to be part of the motocross family that I’m a part of. I love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Second overall at Coolum and in the title chase was long time leader Luke Styke (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing). Styke rode to brave 2-1-2 finishes at Coolum, but fell just two points short of Dale in the championship standings.

“I gave it my all today and did all that I could do,” Styke said. “The team has been unreal to me all year, so I have to carry the good result I got today into supercross. Hats off to Ford, he rode really well, but I just have to keep positive and keep training hard. The results will eventually come.”

Completing the podium for the round at Coolum was Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Kade Mosig. The Victorian was fourth in moto one, fifth in moto two and rounded out the event with a fourth in the final moto.

DPH Motorsport Honda’s Cheyne Boyd was awarded the Jono Porter Cup, which is annually awarded to top privateer finisher in the MX2 rankings. Boyd concluded the series sixth overall.

South Australian Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing) was involved in a critical incident during the final MX2 race of the weekend, attended to by Suzuki RACESAFE before being transported to Nambour Hospital in a serious, but stable condition. Updates will be released when available.

New Zealand rising star Kayne Lamont (KTM) won the Pirelli MX Development (MXD) championship for Under 19s contenders. Lamont won the series by 21 points riding 250 SX two-stroke, finishing second overall at Coolum with 3-1-6 finishes for the weekend.

“It was a good day, the sand was tough, but I came away with the championship so that’s really good,” Lamont said. “I’m pretty stoked to come away with this title in Australia, so hopefully I can come back next year in the Lites (MX2).”

Victorian Dylan Long (Choice Motorsports KTM) won the round on his 250 SX-F, but had to settle for second in the series behind Lamont. At Coolum, Long won motos one and three, along with a fourth in the second moto of the weekend.

Third overall in the series was Dylan Leary (Axis Motorsports Kawasaki), after finishing eighth at Coolum. The final position on the podium for the round was taken out by Sam Martin (GYTR Yamaha). Jay Wilson (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) won moto two of the weekend, but his podium hopes were dashed with a flat tyre in the final outing of the day.

The KTM 2 Stroke National was won by Western Australian MX1 regular Dean Porter (Full Force Racing CarsRus Suzuki), winning three of the four motos contested. Local favourite Brock Winston (KTM) was second, with Porter’s Yamaha-mounted teammate Keiron Hall completing the podium. American guest Mike Sleeter (KTM Orange Brigade) won a moto, but had to settle for fifth overall.

In the 30-39 Veterans category it was defending champion Cameron Taylor (Yamaha) who won overall at Coolum, however the title went to retiring multiple-time national champion Craig Anderson (Berry Sweet/Lucas Oil/Yamaha) after he claimed second overall. Sleeter finished third for the round. In the series it was Anderson ahead of Taylor and Travis Regeling (Team Moto Honda).

The 40 Plus Veterans title was won by Shane Edmonds (Wilsons Jetpilot MX) after he finished third at Coolum. The round was won by Steven Mouritz (Joondalup Motorcycles Suzuki) ahead of Neil Loder (Lode’s Motorcycle Repairs Yamaha) and Edmonds. Loder ended up second in the series, while Adrian Young (KTM) was third.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series. Fans can also find the series on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by searching MX Nationals.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round 10 – Coolum, QLD

MX1 Overall Results:
1. Todd Waters 72
2. Josh Coppins 69
3. Cody Cooper 60
4. Brad Anderson 46
5. Dean Porter 43
6. Jay Marmont 42
7. Billy Mackenzie 42
8. Daniel McCoy 40
9. Lawson Bopping 37
10. Jake Moss 36

MX2 Overall Results:
1. Josh Cachia 72
2. Luke Styke 69
3. Kade Mosig 52
4. Ford Dale 50
5. Cheyne Boyd 45
6. Brock Winston 44
7. Scott Columb 42
8. Kirk Gibbs 40
9. Ryan Marmont 36
10. Justin McDonald 32

MXD Overall Results:
1. Dylan Long 68
2. Kayne Lamont 57
3. Sam Martin 52
4. Jay Wilson 47
5. Mitch Norris 46
6. Kale Makeham 46
7. Wade Hunter 46
8. Dylan Leary 44
9. Luke Clout 44
10. Daniel Banks 33

MX1 Championship Standings (after 10 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 618
2. Todd Waters 607
3. Cody Cooper 509
4. Brad Anderson 509
5. Lawson Bopping 506
6. Jay Marmont 374
7. Jake Moss 347
8. Dean Porter 331
9. Daniel McCoy 329
10. Dan Reardon 320

MX2 Championship Standings (after 10 of 10 rounds):
1. Ford Dale 571
2. Luke Styke 569
3. Josh Cachia 565
4. Kade Mosig 499
5. Kirk Gibbs 441
6. Cheyne Boyd 411
7. Adam Monea 409
8. Scott Columb 360
9. Justin McDonald 320
10. Lewis Woods 306

MXD Championship Standings (after 9 of 9 rounds):
1. Kayne Lamont 521
2. Dylan Long 500
3. Dylan Leary 462
4. Jay Wilson 439
5. Kale Makeham 428
6. Sam Martin 411
7. Mitch Norris 322
8. Wade Hunter 268
9. Joel Milesevic 230
10. Mitch Budd 201

The final round of the 2012 Monster Energy Australian championship took place this weekend at Coolum in Queensland.

You can read the full report HERE but its not quite the end as these two tasty treats fro Monster Energy are this weeks “Hotties of the Week”

Follow monsterapes13, monsterenergy and sarahm_godfrey on Instagram.

Accomplished Australian Motocross and Supercross racer, Daniel Reardon will retire from professional competition at the end of 2012 after years at the pinnacle of the sport.

After much consideration, Reardon has made the choice to hang up his helmet at age 26 following a successful career which was kick-started from his first race at just 5 years old.

The Queensland-based rider has captured multiple national Motocross and Supercross titles, and it was success on a domestic level that catapulted him to a career in the United States in 2007.

He recorded multiple top 5 finishes in his debut AMA Supercross season and made a name as a respected and revered competitor as he stepped up to the 450 ranks.

Over the past few years, his interest in training and conditioning has been heightened and he has chosen to follow a new path in the fitness industry while he has youth on his side.

“It’s been a tough decision but one I wanted to announce early to ensure I have the time to thank and recognise everyone that has played a part in my career,” said Reardon.

“Without my sponsors, supporters, friends and fans I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am, and for the role they have played I am extremely grateful. I’ve chosen to retire because I want to, not because I’m in a position where I have to.” he added.

“Being a racer is about digging inside yourself to find that extra strength or stamina and that’s where my interest in fitness and training has stemmed from. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a number of great trainers and I’ve realised that this is the direction I too want to take.

“It’s most people’s dream to make their hobby become their job and I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to ride moto for much of my life and now pursue another hobby as a career. I’ll leave with many great memories of both the people in this sport and my time within it.” continued Reardon.

“One of the races I’ll take with me for a long time is the one I had with Chad Reed back at Raymond Terrace in 2006 which led to the opportunities I’ve had in America.

“I’ll miss the sport and the people who make it what it is but hope to maintain an involvement in the industry through the new direction I’m taking.” he concluded.

Reardon will see out his final season of competition with JDR Motorsports in the remaining Monster Energy MX Nationals rounds and the new Australian Supercross Championship.

Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Todd Waters became the first Australian to win a round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals when Murray Bridge in South Australia played host to round five of 2012 on Sunday, 20 May.

The 21-year-old topped an all-star international field to win for the Aussies on home soil in the premier MX1 ranks, taking two brilliant victories to commence the round. He clinched the win with a close second in the final 30-minute moto, handing him a debut win for Suzuki.

Waters’ podium was his fourth in five rounds since switching to the RM-Z450 for this season and he now sits second in the championship, just 21 points behind leader Josh Coppins at the halfway point.

“It was pretty much just a picture perfect day,” Waters explained. “I got three good starts, was in the top three for all of them. The first moto I holeshotted and led from start to finish, then in the second moto I was up front again and made the pass halfway through.

“I had a ball riding with Brad [Anderson] in the final moto, dicing for the lead, and I enjoyed it. I didn’t get the win in that one, but I had a lot of fun. I love this track and it’s one of my favourites, so it was good to come back and win. My fitness is great, I’ve been working really hard, so I’m just looking forward to this six-week break to redo my base fitness.”

British champion Brad Anderson claimed second for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing after winning the third and final moto of the round, keeping himself in the hunt for the championship following a disappointing round in WA a week prior. Anderson finished second in moto one and fifth in moto two.

Privateer standout Tye Simmonds made it two Hondas on the podium in third overall, marking his second top three of the year. Simmonds was fifth in moto one, then battled to second after leading early on in moto two. The third moto saw Simmonds round out his weekend with a fourth.

Completing the top five overall was CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping in fourth for the round, while Waters’ teammate Cody Cooper finished fifth for the second weekend in a row.

CDR Yamaha’s Coppins was sixth in South Australia after an incident with Jake Moss in the final moto spoiled his day. Prior to that, Coppins had finished third in moto one and sixth in moto two. The GP legend will now head to Europe during the mid-season break.

The Pirelli MX2 category saw Josh Cachia race to JDR/KTM Factory Racing’s first victory of the 2012 season. Cachia finished with a fifth in the opening moto before breaking through for a win in moto two, then he sealed the overall with a fighting second to conclude the round.

“In the first moto I rode solid, got stuck behind some people, but that’s racing,” Carpenter Rocks resident Cachia explained. “If you don’t get a good start you don’t get in clean air, so that was my fault. In moto two I sorted it out, got the holeshot and felt good.

“The feeling from the holeshot continued in the moto and I was feeling good the whole time, so I put down consistent laps and won. In the 30-minute moto, Boydy and I worked hard until the end, so it was sweet. I rode solid and it was good, so now I’m number one for today and that feels good.”

DPH Motorsport Honda’s Cheyne Boyd claimed his second podium in a row with a well-deserved victory in the final moto at Murray Bridge after holding off Cachia in the closing stages. Boyd opened the round with a second in moto one, but an eighth in moto two after a crash dashed his hopes of the overall victory.

The final podium position in MX2 went to moto one winner Ford Dale. The Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing rider had Ben Townley in his corner on this weekend, but he too suffered from a crash in moto two that left him 15th. Dale bounced back to third in the final moto and overall.

Series leader Luke Styke was fifth overall at Murray Bridge behind MX Factory Honda’s Justin McDonald, who scored a season-best fourth. Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Styke had a disastrous first moto, but salvaged his round with a second and a fourth in the final moto.

Kiwi Kayne Lamont became the first two-time winner of the 2012 season in the Pirelli MX Development class. The KTM rider was sixth in the first moto, but he bounced back to win moto two and finish second in the final moto to clinch the overall. Lamont now sits nine points in arrears of series leader Dylan Long.

Long was a solid second at Murray Bridge, concluding his weekend with victory in the final moto and he’ll keep the red plate he’s held all season throughout the mid-season break. The podium was completed by Dylan Leary, making it a clean-sweep of the podium for KTM.

Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Jay Wilson finished fourth overall for the round, while GYTR Yamaha’s Sam Martin was fifth. First moto winner Joel Milesevic had to settle for sixth after suffering a mechanical in moto two, but he finished the weekend with third in moto three.

The Australian Motocross Championship will return for round six following a mid-season break at Hervey Bay in Queensland in Sunday, 1 July. Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Five – Murray Bridge, SA

MX1 Overall Results:
1. Todd Waters 72
2. Brad Anderson 63
3. Tye Simmonds 56
4. Lawson Bopping 52
5. Cody Cooper 49
6. Josh Coppins 48
7. Daniel Reardon 40
8. Daniel McCoy 39
9. Dean Porter 33
10. Jay Marmont 30

MX2 Overall Results:
1. Josh Cachia 63
2. Cheyne Boyd 60
3. Ford Dale 53
4. Justin McDonald 49
5. Luke Styke 46
6. Scott Columb 45
7. Lewis Woods 39
8. Kade Mosig 39
9. Errol Willis 37
10. Nick Murray 33

MXD Overall Results:
1. Kayne Lamont 62
2. Dylan Long 58
3. Dylan Leary 52
4. Jay Wilson 49
5. Sam Martin 47
6. Joel Milesevic 45
7. Jarrad Davis 34
8. Michael Crugnale 30
9. Mitch Budd 26
10. John Phillips 25

MX1 Championship Standings (after 5 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 301
2. Todd Waters 280
3. Brad Anderson 274
4. Lawson Bopping 255
5. Tye Simmonds 234
6. Cody Cooper 232
7. Jay Marmont 207
8. Jake Moss 171
9. Daniel McCoy 164
10. Daniel Reardon 147

MX2 Championship Standings (after 5 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 306
2. Ford Dale 274
3. Cheyne Boyd 258
4. Josh Cachia 258
5. Kade Mosig 233
6. Kirk Gibbs 229
7. Adam Monea 215
8. Justin McDonald 192
9. Lewis Woods 173
10. Errol Willis 168

MXD Championship Standings (after 4 of 9 rounds):
1. Dylan Long 201
2. Kayne Lamont 195
3. Samual Martin 195
4. Dylan Leary 193
5. Jay Wilson 159
6. Joel Milesevic 156
7. Kale Makeham 156
8. Mitch Norris 123
9. Mitch Budd 103
10. Dylan Wills 99

MX1 series leader, Josh Coppins, picked up his second win of the season in an impressive performance, winning motos one and three to extend his championship lead to 42 points despite riding through the pain of a pinched nerve in his neck. While in the MX2, championship leader Luke Styke picked up his second overall of the season for Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing, winning motos one and two before finishing fourth in the gruelling final moto.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Brad Anderson and Ford Dale have endured a difficult weekend at West Australia’s AJS Motorcycle Club finishing fourth and seventh at Round 4 of the Monster Energy MX Nationals.


Both riders showed good pace over the weekend and leave the West retaining second place in their respective MX1 and MX2 Championships.

After qualifying second, Anderson got a good start in the opening MX1 moto. The Brit was second off the line and passed Jay Marmont for the lead on the opening lap of the race.

A small mistake allowed Josh Coppins to sneak past and whilst trying to pass him back up the inside, Anderson went down. He remounted and eventually finished the race third.

Bad luck seemed to snowball for Anderson in Moto 2, the harder he tried to recover the further down the order he fell, finishing an unlucky 13th.

The Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing rider made a good recovery in the final 30-minute moto to finish second.

“I am really disappointed with this weekends results,” Anderson explained. “I let myself down making silly mistakes.

“The second race was a disaster. I lost my head a bit because I knew I should have been further up the order but no matter what I tried, it just seemed to get worse.

“I was determined to turn things around in Race 3. I passed both Josh (Coppins) and Jay (Marmont) on the opening lap but I made a mistake a couple of laps later and Josh (Coppins) got past me.

“It was important to finish the event with a good race result and thankfully I leave Perth still sitting second in the standings. Unfortunately though, I now have a lot more points to redeem to catch Josh (Coppins),” Anderson added.

In the MX2 class Ford Dale qualified third but a crash on the first lap of Moto 1 left him to fight back from dead last. Dale finished the race eighth.

A bad start in Moto 2 put Dale back in the pack again. The Honda rider worked his way up to fourth and was making ground on the front-runners but ran out of laps to progress any further.

Bad luck returned in Moto 3, Dale crashed while was sitting fourth and had to work his way back up the order.

Finishing 10th in the final race saw Dale end the round seventh and sees him retain second in the MX2 standings by just two points.

“It definitely wasn’t the best weekend,” Dale said. “I felt good on the bike but nothing really gelled for me.

“I am going to change my preparation for the next round and come in with a new game plan.

“I think I may have over prepared for this weekend. I have been working harder than ever before but I came in not feeling 100%. I am going to back it down a bit on the riding side so I am turning up fresh.” he continued.

The Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing riders will head home to prepare for Round 5 of the Monster Energy MX Nationals that will be held at South Australia’s Murray Bridge on Sunday May 20.

‎2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals MX1 Results – Rd4 Wanneroo

1. Josh Coppins 72
2. Lawson Bopping 57 

3. Todd Waters 56 

4. Brad Anderson 50
5. Cody Cooper 46
6. Tye Simmonds 45
7. Daniel McCoy 42 

8. Jay Marmont 38
9. Mike Phillips 33 

10. Gordon Crockard 32

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals MX1 Standings (After Rd 4 of 7)

1. Josh 253
2. Brad Anderson 211
3. Todd Waters 208
4. Lawson Bopping 203
5. Cody Cooper 183
6. Tye Simmonds 178
7. Jay Marmont 177
8. Jake Moss 157
9. Daniel McCoy 125
10. Daniel Reardon 107

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals MX2 Results – Rd4 Wanneroo

1. Luke Styke 68 

2. Cheyne Boyd 62 

3. Adam Monea 55 

4. Kade Mosig 54 

5. Josh Cachia 46 

6. Lewis Woods 44
7. Ford Dale 42
8. Scott Columb 38
9. Luke Arbon 38 

10. Kirk Gibbs 37

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals MX2 Standings (After Rd 4 of 7)

1. Luke Styke 260
2. Ford Dale 221
3. Kirk Gibbs 199
4. Cheyne Boyd 198
5. Josh Cachia 195
6. Kade Mosig 194
7. Adam Monea 190
8. Justin McDonald 143
9. Lewis Woods 134
10. Errol Willis 131

Three rounds into the championship and it was Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Brad Anderson on the podium at Round 3 of the Monster Energy MX Nationals held at Wonthaggi, Victoria. Breaking through for his first victory of the season, the two-time British champion held off Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Todd Waters and CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping, going 1-2-3. In the MX2 class, Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale broke Serco Yamaha’s streak after winning the third and final moto to clinch the overall.

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing rider Brad Anderson has broken through for his first Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, victory of the season at Wonthaggi in Victoria this weekend, 28-29 April.

The two-time British champion boosted himself right back into championship contention with a consistent effort at round three of 2012, winning the opening moto before going on to seal the overall with second and third place results in the closing motos.

“The first race went really well, I got the holeshot, but towards the end I got a little bit of arm pump,” Anderson reflected. “I felt really good, didn’t feel as though I was pushing too hard and I was able to control the race.

“When the second one came I got another good start was led, but then the dreaded arm pump kicked in again and Todd [Waters] came past. I relaxed a bit and came away with second in that.

“The last race came and that was my worst start of the day, but I came through a little bit and was riding pretty solid. I was able to take third, which I’m happy about, and I’m glad to pull some points back on Josh [Coppins].”

It was a mixed day in the premier MX1 ranks with three separate race winners. Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) finished the round second overall after winning moto two, plus he scored third and fourth place finishes in the remaining motos to lock in his second podium of the year.

CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping completed the podium in his first of the season since joining Craig Dack’s team. Bopping was another to be rewarded by consistency with 2-3-6 finishes.

Bopping’s teammate Josh Coppins has retained the series red plate as points leader in MX1 after taking fourth overall. It was the first time the Kiwi veteran has finished off the podium this year, but the result means he maintains a 20-point lead in the standings.

Final moto winner Cody Cooper (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) could only manage fifth overall after suffering with starts all day long, but once he got one in the third race, he proved unstoppable in a dominant performance. The experienced Kiwi was quickest all weekend long.

The Motul MX2 class was taken out by Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale, breaking Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s streak in the 250 class. Dale won the third and final moto to clinch the overall after a hard-fought battle all day long.

Dale’s consistency was the key at Wonthaggi with a pair of second places to start the round, before a relentless performance in moto three after battling with Adam Monea (Zero Seven Motorsports Suzuki) handed him his first overall win of the 2012 season.

“Qualifying went well yesterday, which was a good start to the weekend,” Dale explained. “In the first two motos this morning I didn’t get the best of starts and got second in both.

“And then in the last moto I had the game plan to get to the front as quick as I could and go from there – I’ve been struggling with the flu all weekend. I ended up making it through and came out on top.”

Styke was again impressive with the red plate and will maintain it into round four for Serco Yamaha, finishing second overall after winning the second moto of the day. Styke finished third in moto one, but a sixth in the third moto denied him of the round win.

Cachia was impressive with a breakthrough win in moto one after coming under all kinds of pressure from Dale. He claimed his first overall podium of the season in third after claiming fourth and seventh places in the final motos.

A third new winner of the 2012 season was also awarded in the Pirelli MXD category, with New Zealand KTM contender Kayne Lamont taking out his first win of the year with 2-1-7 results.

“I’m really enjoying the new power of the two-stroke and it seems to get good starts – except for the last race,” Lamont said after switching from a four-stroke recently. “Qualifying went well for me and the first gate pick helped a lot.

“I had a moment in the first race and got up to second, then in race two I got the holeshot and won it. In the third moto I was 25th through the first turn and got back into the top 10, so it was a good result.”

GYTR Yamaha’s Sam Martin raced to his second podium of the year in second overall after winning moto two, edging out another KTM rider in Kale Makeham for that position on the podium.

Series leader Dylan Long won the final moto and took fifth overall for Choice Motorsports KTM to hold onto that red plate, one position behind round two winner Dylan Leary on yet another KTM.

The series will next head west to Wanneroo in Western Australia on 12-13 May, marking round four of 10 for the 2012 season. Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Three – Wonthaggi, VIC

MX1 Overall Results:
1. Brad Anderson 67
2. Todd Waters 63
3. Lawson Bopping 57
4. Josh Coppins 56
5. Cody Cooper 50
6. Jake Moss 47
7. Jay Marmont 44
8. Tye Simmonds 39
9. Dylan Peterson 35
10. Dean Porter 32

MX2 Overall Results:
1. Ford Dale 69
2. Luke Styke 60
3. Josh Cachia 57
4. Adam Monea 55
5. Cheyne Boyd 49
6. Kirk Gibbs 43
7. Kade Mosig 43
8. Errol Willis 39
9. Geran Stapleton 36
10. Lewis Woods 29

MXD Overall Results:
1. Kayne Lamont 61
2. Sam Martin 57
3. Kale Makeham 56
4. Dylan Leary 53
5. Dylan Long 44
6. Ben George 43
7. Joel Milesevic 39
8. Jay Wilson 39
9. John Phillips 36
10. Mitch Budd 36

MX1 Championship Standings (after 3 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 181
2. Brad Anderson 161
3. Todd Waters 152
4. Jake Moss 148
5. Lawson Bopping 146
6. Jay Marmont 139
7. Cody Cooper 137
8. Tye Simmonds 133
9. Daniel Reardon 96
10. Daniel McCoy 83

MX2 Championship Standings (after 3 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 192
2. Ford Dale 179
3. Kirk Gibbs 162
4. Josh Cachia 149
5. Kade Mosig 140
6. Cheyne Boyd 136
7. Adam Monea 135
8. Errol Willis 115
9. Justin McDonald 110
10. Ryan Marmont 91

MXD Championship Standings (after 3 of 10 rounds):
1. Dylan Long 168
2. Sam Martin 157
3. Dylan leary 157
4. Kayne Lamont 155
5. Kale Makeham 152
6. Joel Milesevic 131
7. Jay Wilson 128
8. Mitch Norris 123
9. Mitch Budd 90
10. Dylan Wills 87

Courtesy MXNationals

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing will look to re-assert its early season dominance when the MX Nationals visit the factory outfit’s heartland in Wonthaggi this weekend.

A fortnight has passed since the team’s disappointing weekend in Coonabarabran, with both riders going back to basics in order to ensure they improve on fifth place finishes in their respective classes.

Brad Anderson took this week’s press day at Wonthaggi as an opportunity to familiarise himself with the track.

Anderson has re-introduced cycling to his training routine, fitting in a number of 80km+ rides to maintain peak fitness.

He also took on the infamous 1000-step challenge at Fern Tree Gully, finishing in a credible 6-minutes and 30-seconds.

The British champion is determined to beat the bouts of arm pump, which slowed his progress at Round 2.

“It was disappointing to lose the momentum of the opening round after arm pump set in during the second moto at Coonabarabran,” explained Anderson.

“The weekend didn’t go to plan and I’ve tried my hardest to take my fitness and conditioning to another level.

“I have gone back to my traditional training regime riding three 30-minute motos and after yesterday’s session I felt the best I have ever felt.

“I’ve factored in a lot of cycling as well and am feeling much more prepared for the weekend at Wonthaggi which will be a chance to get things back on track.”

Anderson is placed fourth in the MX1 championship standings with 94 points to his name.

MX2 teammate Ford Dale was held back by crashes at the start of both 5-lap motos, costing him the opportunity to show his class-leading speed.

Currently placed third, Dale is eyeing a podium finish to close the gap on current points leader Luke Styke.

“Coonabarabran wasn’t the best weekend, I have worked hard the past two weeks to make sure that is behind me and ensure I’m ready for this weekend,” said Dale.

“I’ve spent the past two weeks at home and tried to ride on sandy tracks to prepare for Wonthaggi.

“I also got the chance to race the Sunshine State Motocross event at Coolum and won both races there which was a good way to work on my racecraft.

“I like the Wonthaggi track – the dirt is good and it’s a fun track to race on. We did some pre-season testing there as well so I’m pretty familiar with it.”

Riders will contest shorter back-to-back motos on Sunday morning before both classes settle in for the regular 30-minute moto to round out the afternoon.

Image by Shayne Rice