YAMAHA RACING:

Cheyne Boyd and Jay Marmont have delivered Yamaha their fifth dual podium of the year with the two YZ450F riders finishing first and second at the penultimate round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship at the Lake Macquarie Motorcycle Club today.

The result reinforced the manufacturer’s dominance in the Pro Open Championship chase, which is led by Marmont with Boyd second and fellow Yamaha rider Andrew McFarlane rounding out the top three.

It was also a successful day for Yamaha in the Pro Lites category with Kirk Gibbs finishing fourth overall after producing some of his best race starts of the year.

Yamaha also took victory in the opening round of the 2009 Australian Women’s Motocross Championship with Tori Dare winning the round after finishing second, first and first in each of the three motos.

The final round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship will be conducted at the Coolum Pines Motocross Park on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast next weekend.

Pro Open Report

Cheyne Boyd has continued his stellar form at the seventh round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship with the CDR Rockstar Yamaha rider winning his fourth consecutive round of the premier dirt bike series.

After finishing second to his team-mate Jay Marmont in qualifying, Boyd completed another perfect weekend winning each of the 30 minute motos.  Marmont was second overall after finishing second in both races.

Throughout the day, Boyd and Marmont once again showed dominating pace with the two CDR Rockstar Yamaha riders finishing each race almost 30 seconds ahead of third.

With just one round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship remaining, Boyd has continued to narrow the gap between himself and Marmont with just 14 points separating the team-mates.

“I simply couldn’t do any better in the first moto,” Boyd said, “I got the holeshot and then just focused on doing fast and consistent laps.  I kept my eye on Jay [Marmont] and just kept looking at my pit board and did what I needed to do to win the race.”

“I got another good start in race two and by the second lap I was in first with Jay second.  The margin between Jay  and I was so close during the whole race, I could hear him behind me.  I just kept focusing on the finish line and was happy that I didn’t make any mistakes and was able to take the win.”

“With next weekend being the last round in the championship, I will just keep taking each race as it comes.  Jay is riding really well and keeping me on my toes.  I’m really looking forward to Coolum, I have a good record there and it is a track I really enjoy.”

CDR Rockstar Yamaha guest rider, Ross Beaton rode with maturity beyond his 18 years and capped off a successful day for the team by finishing 10th overall in his debut in the Pro Open class.

Beaton said he hopes the experience with CDR Rockstar Yamaha provides him with an edge when he competes in the final round of the Under 19s Championship next weekend.

“It was interesting racing with the Pro Opens today and I think I learnt more in the first 10 minutes of the opening moto than I have all year,” said Beaton who is fifth in the Under 19s Championship.

“I was 10th overall and it’s a start and a result I can build on in the future.  The intensity in the Pro Opens is a lot higher than in the Under 19s and instead of five or six fast guys in the field there are 15.  On top of this the riders who don’t look quick actually are.

“I’m hoping the experience helps me with the final round of the Under 19s Championship and I think it will make a big difference in my mental preparation and it is great to have one more competitive event prior to Coolum.”

Pro Lites Report

Serco Yamaha rider, Kirk Gibbs has bounced back from the disappointment of Wanneroo to claim fourth at the seventh round of the Pro Lites Championship at the Lake Macquarie Motorcycle Club.

Gibbs showed that additional time spent working  on his starts during the five week break between rounds had paid off with YZ250F rider getting two solid starts which assisted him to sixth and fourth in each of the day’s two motos.

“I got a good start in the opening moto and was inside the top five for the first four laps until I stalled and fell in the mud.  I dropped down to ninth but was able to focus and claw my way back into the top five,” Gibbs said.

“In the second moto I got a really good start and after being passed by a few riders, I charged hard towards the end of the race and felt as though I was catching the lead pack.  I was happy to finish third in the race and hopefully I’ll be able to keep the momentum from this round going at Coolum next weekend.”

After injury interrupted his preparation for his home event, Mitch Hoad finished a credible eighth overall after claiming 11th and sixth in today’s two motos.

Serco Yamaha supported rider, Matt Ryan also showed great potential in the challenging muddy conditions and finished 16th overall after claiming 16th and 17th in today’s two motos.