Tye Simmonds endured a difficult day at Raymond Terrace. Image: kajx Communications.

JDR Motorex KTM rookie Tye Simmonds says a broken bone in his foot didn’t affect him at yesterday’s Raymond Terrace round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals, refusing to make any excuses after finishing seventh overall for the round.

Simmonds entered the round under an injury cloud after he suffered a broken foot in a club race on the MX Nationals’ off-weekend, however 6-7-8 results in the three-moto format marked the 18-year-old’s worst result of the season to date on KTM’s all-new 350 SX-F.

“I can’t pinpoint which moto was worse for me at Raymond Terrace, so it’s best I wrap them up into one,” said Simmonds. “Overall I just had a bad race meeting, and it had nothing to do with the bike, my head space or a few injuries during the week, because I was pain-free.

“I’m not one for excuses, so overall I just wasn’t on the gas, and can’t put it down to any one reason. Obviously I’m really disappointed, but I just need to put it behind me and try and re-group for the next round.”

Simmonds now sits 13 points behind series leader and defending champion Jay Marmont, maintaining his second position overall in the Pro Open title chase.

JDR Motorex KTM team manager Jay Ryenberg is confident that Simmonds will bounce back from the disappointment.

“Tye was on a bit of a downer and he has had better race meetings, but who can blame the guy, with the loss of another close friend during the week to a MX accident, and he did incur an injury last weekend as well,” Ryenberg commented. “Tye’s a tough guy though, he will work though this and come back stronger at the next round.”

American PJ Larsen continued his domination of the Pro Lites proceedings with a trio of victories to extend his series lead on the KTM 250 SX-F.

“I was in around fifth position off the start in the first moto, and within a few minutes I took the lead and rode home to a comfortable win,” Larsen explained. “The second moto was pretty much a repeat of the first, and I won by the same margin.

“In my final moto I was second off the start behind Ryan Marmont, and then I passed him on the straight and pulled a good lead. I rode home for another win, and a clean sweep of the day. I now have a comfortable lead in the Pro Lites Championship so I couldn’t be happier.”

Teammate Ryan Marmont had a solid day to move back into third in the Pro Lites standings, claiming fourth overall for the round with 3-7-3 results.

“Overall it was a good day for me because I moved back into third in the championship and I’m only 12 points off second place,” the former national champion commented.

The series will now move to Albury Wodonga in Victoria on 27 June.