Tye Simmonds claimed JDR Motorsports' first ever Open class podium in Dunedin. Image: Sport The Library.

Young gun Tye Simmonds podium finish in New Zealand’s Dunedin round of the Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship, marked a first ever Open class top three for the JDR Motorex KTM team.

Riding the 2011 model KTM 350 SX-F in what were treacherous conditions in the mud, 18-year-old Simmonds claimed 2-3 results to clinch third overall in the Double Header main event.

“In the first moto off the start I had second pick of the gate and I was able to work my way into second behind Josh Hansen and stay there for the first final, which I was pretty pumped with,” Simmonds beamed.

“In the second one I didn’t get the best start but snuck up the inside into third. On the last lap I was running second and a lapped rider got in the way and Jake Moss passed me to take second in the race and overall, so I ended up third tied on points.

“It’s a proud moment to put the 350 on the podium, so we need to try and keep the ball rolling from here.”

The result maintained fourth in the series for Simmonds, still in the hunt for the top three overall after tying with main opponent Jake Moss at Dunedin. Also a highlight for Simmonds on the night was the opening heat race victory.

JDR Motorex KTM team manager Jay Rynenberg credited a fresh new training method as a major reason for Simmonds’ breakthrough podium.

“Tye has incorporated a little bit more football-style training into his regime now and I think it’s really paying off,” he continued. “He seems to be having a lot more fun in racing and it showed straight away.

“As soon as he got out for practice we could tell he was in the zone, so to come away with JDR’s first podium in the Open class was great.”