It was an all American affair in the Open class with US imports Kevin Windham, Josh Hansen and Justin Brayton claiming first, second and third respectively in the Open class, While defending champion Matt Moss dominated the Lites class.
A crowd of 9,250 watched riders battle it out on the tough and tricky Canberra track, which was slippery in parts due to some rain in the afternoon. The Triple Challenge race format featured in the final, which pitted riders against each other in three, seven lap races in the Open class and three, six lap races in the Lites.
CDR Rockstar Yamaha’s Jay Marmont grabbed the first holeshot, but Monster Energy / Pro Circuit’s Josh Hansen sped past him on the first straight with fellow US riders Muscle Milk / Toyota JGRMX’s Justin Brayton and Geico Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham quickly moving up the field to round out the top three places. Windham overtook Brayton on lap three and began to close in on Hansen and eventually overtook him after a close tussle on lap five. Hansen stayed close behind him to hold on to second place.
Brayton got the second holeshot, but Windham moved into first place early and held on to take out moto two. Brayton slipped on the whoops in lap five allowing Hansen and Marmont to pass him to finish second and third respectively and Brayton fourth.
Windham grabbed the final holeshot of the night and never looked back for the win with three from three. Hansen and JDR Motorex KTM’s Mike Alessi were in second and third, but Brayton and Marmont passed Alessi on lap four.
Windham was first overall with Hansen second and Brayton third making it an all American podium.
“What a great start to my time here in Australia. I am really enjoying the country and the people and had a lot of fun racing here tonight," Windham said.
“The different formats definitely make it interesting because anything can happen. I am just glad I rode well and consistently and got the win in all three races.”
Hansens's second overall for the night sees him take over the championship lead from Chad Reed. Reed did not compete.
“I am just really happy to be here racing and getting these good results. There was some good close racing tonight and fun battles. It’s good to be leading the championship and I really want to ride well and hold on to it for the rest of the series. I am loving Australia," Hansen said.
Brayton was looking good for second during the night but a huge crash in the whoops saw him lucky to still be walking let alone finish third.
“I think it’s really good for this series and for us to be able to come out here and race and have the opportunity to raise the profile of the sport. The different formats each week keep it interesting and the racing is always at a high intensity. It is my final round next week and it would be great to finish off with a win," Brayton said.
Marmont finished fourth overall in an emotional return to Canberra after his memorable win there last year, only two days after the passing of his baby daughter, Lila.
Mike Alessi who is also from the USA finished fifth, improving on his disappointing start to the series in Newcastle last weekend.
Defending Lites champion, Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s Matt Moss grabbed the holeshot in the first of the Lites three six lappers and held on for a dominant win over JDR Motorex KTM team members PJ Larsen in second and Ryan Marmont in third.
Moss got off to another great start in the second moto holding off Larsen who was on his tail for the entire race and the UK’s Steven Clarke riding for Raceline Pirelli Suzuki finished third.
In the third and final moto Moss grabbed the holeshot again and stayed in front to make it three wins from three. Larsen took a dive in the tricky sand section, which took him out of contention and left second place to Clarke and Serco Yamaha’s Ford Dale third.
Moss won the round with Clarke second and Marmont third.
Local rider Lawson Bopping had a big crash in the first final race but proved what a tough racer he was by lining up again in the remaining two motos to finish 12th overall.
Dylan Long made it two wins in a row in the Michelin Development Series with Jarrad Davis second and Jake Emanuelli third.
The series now heads to Launceston for the third round at Aurora Stadium next weekend.
RESULTS
OPEN Top Ten Results – Round 2
1. Kevin Windham ONE Graphics
2. Josh HANSEN
3. Justin BRAYTON
4. Jay MARMONT ONE Graphics
5. Mike ALESSI
6. Tye SIMMONDS
7. Daniel REARDON ONE Graphics
8. Todd WATERS ONE Graphics
9. Daniel McCOY
10. Lewis WOODS ONE Racewear & Helmets
OPEN Top Ten Results – Championship standings
1 Josh HANSEN
2 Justin BRAYTON
3 Jay MARMONT
4 Daniel REARDON
5 Kevin WINDHAM
6 Tye SIMMONDS
7 Todd WATERS
8 Daniel McCOY
9 Lewis WOODS
10 Jake MOSS
LITES Top Ten Results – Round 2
1. Matt MOSS ONE Racewear & Helmets
2. Steven CLARKE ONE Racewear & Helmets
3. Ryan MARMONT
4. P J LARSEN
5. Cody MACKIE
6. Ford DALE
7. Kirk GIBBS
8. Luke STYKE
9. Josh CACHIA
10. Harley QUINLAN
LITES – Championship standings
1. Matt MOSS
2. P J LARSEN
3. Ryan MARMONT
4. Cody MACKIE
5. Steven CLARKE
6. Kade MOSIG
7. Lawson BOPPING
8. Harley QUINLAN
9. Luke GEORGE
10. Luke STYKE
11. Kirk GIBBS
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