YAMAHA RACING:

Yamaha Racing is poised to walk away with three national titles this weekend with the manufacturer leading the Pro Open, Under 19s and Women’s categories of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship going into the eighth and final round of the series at the Coolum Pines Motocross Park.

At the end of seven rounds, Yamaha is dominating the top three positions of the Pro Open class with defending champion Jay Marmont currently in control of the points standings. His CDR Rockstar Yamaha teammate Cheyne Boyd is second and fellow YZ450F rider Andrew McFarlane third.

Kirk Gibbs is set to fly the flag for the manufacturer in the Pro Lites with the Serco Yamaha rider, who is fourth in the championship, hoping to finish the year on a high with a podium at the final round of the series on the Sunshine Coast.

If all goes to plan, GYTR Yamaha Junior Development Team rider Luke Styke could claim his first national title since joining the senior ranks. The young New South Welshman is currently leading the Under 19s Championship with his teammate Harley Quinlan second and Yamaha compatriot, Josh Cachia rounding out the top three.

The final round of the 2009 Australian Women’s Motocross Championship will also be conducted at the event with Yamaha rider, Tori Dare hoping to make it two from two after winning the first round of the series at Lakes last weekend.

The Coolum Pines Motocross Park is located off Quanda Road, Coolum. Practice and qualifying will take place on Saturday August 1, 2009 with winner of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship to be the crowned the following day.

Pro Open Report

Just three motos separate Jay Marmont from winning his second Australian Motocross Championship title and the CDR Rockstar Yamaha rider is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation for this weekend’s event at Coolum.

Marmont’s nearest challenger is his CDR Rockstar Yamaha teammate, Cheyne Boyd who has been in strong form since the fourth round of the series with the with the Victorian winning the last four rounds of the premier dirt bike series.

Marmont, who is the only rider to finish on the podium at all rounds of the series, is not fazed by his teammate’s string of victories and is confident of maintaining his 14 point lead in the championship when the chequered flag falls on the 2009 motocross season.

“I’ve just got to go out there this weekend and be consistent and try to bring the title home,” Marmont said, “I don’t need to go and break any speed records as I’ve already got a bit of a points buffer on Boydy [Cheyne Boyd].”

“The key to the weekend is to be consistent in each of the three 20 minute motos of the weekend. On top of this it will be important to make sure I get some good starts for each of the three races. I know my pace is good at the moment and hopefully I’ll take a race win off Boydy and finish the year on a high.”

CDR Rockstar Yamaha Team Principal Craig Dack said it was a dream to have both of his riders in such a strong position ahead of the final round of the Australian Motocross Championship with the team’s form described as dominating after Marmont and Boyd recorded their fifth consecutive dual podium finish last weekend.

“There are absolutely no team orders in our camp and we’re just telling both Jay [Marmont] and Cheyne [Boyd] to get out there on Sunday and do their best,” Dack said.

“While it is great to be in the box seat when it comes to the championship chase, I still think there will be an element of sadness on Sunday night. As a team owner, I have two professional riders who are also great people and while it is potentially great to win the championship I think my heart will still go out to the guy who comes second.”

Boyd has won the last two rounds of the Australian Motocross Championship hosted at the Coolum Pines Motocross Park.

Pro Open Championship

1.  Jay Marmont – 387 points
2.  Cheyne Boyd – 373 points
3.  Andrew McFarlane – 313 points
4.  Cody Mackie – 296 points
5.  Craig Anderson – 235 points
6.  Cameron Taylor – 231 points
7.  Michael Addison – 214 points
8.  Brent Landman – 205 points
9.  Todd Waters – 167 points
10.  Beau Ralston – 145 points

Pro Lites Report

Serco Yamaha’s Kirk Gibbs will be striving for a top three finish at the final round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship at the Coolum Motocross Park this weekend.

Gibbs just missed out on finishing on the podium at the penultimate round of the series and the YZ250F said a strong finish is vital to cement his top four position in the championship.

“I’m really hoping for a top three this weekend,” Gibbs said, “I’ve got good speed and my starts have improved since the start of the year so it is just a matter of trying to pick up my the intensity for the first five minutes so I stay up the front for the opening stages of the race.

“This week I’ve stayed up in Newcastle for the week after Lakes and I’ve been involved in the launch for Yamaha’s 2010 bike which has been exciting.”

Serco Yamaha rider, Mitch Hoad is also hoping for a solid result this weekend after injury interrupted his preparation for the penultimate round of the series at the Lake Macquarie Motorcycle Club last weekend.  Hoad is sixth in the championship.

Pro Lites Championship

1.  Matt Moss – 347 points
2.  Luke George – 325 points
3.  Tye Simmonds – 320 points
4.  Kirk Gibbs – 244 points
5.  Lawson Bopping – 241 points
6.  Mitch Hoad – 204 points
7.  Lewis Stewart – 197 points
8.  Lewis Woods – 159 points
9.  Adam Monea – 145 points
10.  Wade Thompson – 128 points

Under 19s Report

The GYTR/Yamaha Junior Development Team will be gunning for a one-two-three finish in the Under 19s Championship with Luke Styke, Harley Quinlan and Ross Beaton all in contention to finish on the podium for the class which was created to uncover the next biggest Australian motocross star.

Since taking the series lead at the third round of the Under 19s Championship, Styke has enjoyed a solid run to the final round with the YZ250F rider holding a 43 point lead over Quinlan (253 points).

Styke said he is now ready for the final round of the championship after a six week break in competition.

“After we raced at Wanneroo I had a bit of a break and I’ve spent the last three weeks back on the bike and training hard,” Styke said.

“I’m feeling very confident for the weekend as I’m 100 percent fit, I’ve been training hard and the bike is great. I just want to get out there on Sunday and take the win to finish the year off on a good note.”

GYTR Yamaha Junior Development Team rider, Harley Quinlan is also feeling confident about the event with the Queensland-based rider familiar with the Coolum Pines Motocross Park track.

Ross Beaton is hoping to make it a GYTR Yamaha Junior Development Team one-two-three on the podium with the 18-year-old benefiting from a guest ride with CDR Rockstar Yamaha last weekend in Lakes.  Beaton is fifth in the championship point score and is just six points behind fellow Yamaha rider, Josh Cachia who is in third.

Under 19s Championship

1. Luke Styke – 296 points
2. Harley Quinlan – 253 points
3. Josh Cachia – 243 points
4. Luke Arbon – 238 points
5. Ross Beaton – 237 points
6. Dylan Peterson – 207 points
7. Josh Kilvington – 138 points
8. Jason Reed – 136 points
9. Alex Morris – 106 points
10. Kieran Tisdale – 99 points