LINK International - MX Nationals Round 7 Wodonga 2011

MX Nationals Round 7 - Wodonga, VIC

Defending triple Australian Motocross Champion Jay Marmont has taken his second Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals round win in succession at Wodonga’s seventh round in Victoria on Sunday, 3 July.

In a day where the rain fell in the latter stages of the afternoon, Marmont continued his fight back in the premier Pro Open category with his second round win of the season, the 28-year-old from Wollongong scoring 1-3-7-1 results in the day’s four motos to seal the overall.

The weekend went down to the wire between Marmont and last year’s Wodonga winner Cody Cooper (Rockstar Motul Suzuki), however a fall in the final moto dashed the New Zelander’s hopes of a second overall this season. Cooper scored 2-2-1-9 finishes.

“My arms tightened up and I was suffering a bit of arm-pump, but the mistake cost me and I wasn’t really certain where I had to finish to win the overall in that final moto,” the current NZ champion said.

“I have to thank Rockstar Motul Suzuki though, the whole team worked really hard. This is a track that I seem to do well at, so it’s nice to finish on the podium overall again.”

Marmont’s teammate Josh Coppins, a former world number two, rounded out the podium for the second weekend in a row, claiming third overall with 4-1-6-2 finishes.

Another Kiwi in Michael Phillips (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) finished fourth for the round after featuring up front throughout the proceedings, while fifth was enough for 20-year-old Aussie talent Ferris to retain the championship lead.

In the Motul Pro Lites it was title leader Matt Moss who used a consistent run of 3-3-2-2 results to return to the winner’s circle for his fourth win in seven attempts this year.

JDR Motorex KTM’s Moss stretched his championship advantage to 58 points despite not winning a race in Wodonga, while Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yoshimura Yamaha) was second with 5-7-1-1 results.

American Phil Nicoletti completed the podium for Monster Energy Kawasaki, his 1-1-11-4 finishes marking a continuation of his recent form at the front of the field.

In the Pirelli Under 19s development category, Wagga Wagga local Errol Willis rode his Raceline Pirelli Suzuki into the winner’s circle to extend his title lead to a demanding 76-point margin.

Willis went 1-1-2-3 for the day in the four motos, while another Suzuki rider in Sam Martin was runner-up, the Byrners Suzuki rider scoring 4-6-1-1 results to take second today, dominated the afternoon.

Completing the Under 19s podium was Shaun Redhead (GYTR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) with 5-3-3-2 scores. Redhead’s teammate Luke Arbon, who sits second behind Willis in the series, experienced a difficult round and placed sixth overall.

Round eight of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be contested at Moree in New South Wales on Sunday, 24 July. Practice and qualifying will commence at 8:30am with the official opening ceremonies taking place at approximately 10:30am.

For the full results and current Championship standings, check out www.mxnationals.com.au