Jay Marmont wins the season-opening Terex Australian Supercross round. Image: Rice Photography.

Jay Marmont has opened his Terex Australian Supercross Championship defence with a resounding win at the series opener at Dubbo’s Morris Park Speedway overnight.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider left little doubt that he is both healthy and hungry to keep his number one plate, qualifying second before dominating his eight-lap heat with a 7.26-second win over CDR Yamaha rider Daniel McCoy.

A thrilling start to the 20-lap main event saw a monumental scrap for track position into the fast first turn.

Motul Pirelli Suzuki rider Matt Moss took the holeshot but was taken down moments later, an unfortunate non-finisher and later confirmed to have dislocated his shoulder in the scuffle.

McCoy, clearly relishing his opportunity with the factory Yamaha outfit, built an early lead, holding off Marmont for the first half of the race.

A lapped rider hindered Marmont’s forward progress momentarily but by three-quarter distance he was ready to pounce, putting the pass on McCoy and taking control to win by a 2.4-second margin.

It’s a crucial confidence booster for Marmont, who struggled for momentum during his motocross campaign earlier this year.

“It was almost a perfect night for me,” said Marmont. “I still have a few things to work on, even though I was happy with my starts, stamina and speed there are a couple of areas I still want to improve.

“I didn’t quite get the start I wanted but then Matt [Moss] and Billy [Mackenzie] went down and I focused on catching Daniel [McCoy].

“At the halfway point I came together with a lapper and very nearly went down then I passed Daniel and he passed me back then I passed him again and made it stick.”

Marmont may have taken the win and top points from Dubbo but it was the performance of McCoy that impressed many.

A mainstay of Australian Supercross, the Yamaha rider made the most of an opening lap opportunity to assume the lead and had showed he had the pace to keep the field behind him.

Second place is a strong result for McCoy, who is excited at the prospect of a competitive season with the team he last raced for in 2004.

“This whole deal came together really late and is a big change for me,” said McCoy. “I have gone full circle and it feels great – I couldn’t be happier I have returned home and first round out I am on the podium.

“The professionalism of the team is undeniable and I think the effort they put into development and the testing of parts is out of this world. I have never tested so many parts in my life as I have this past month.”

Campbell Mining/Troy Lee Designs Maxima Honda rider Jake Moss rounded out the Open podium, building on an early top five position and moving past Tye Simmonds to take and hold third at mid-race distance.

Simmonds’ Red Bull Mobile Honda was eventually passed by CDR Yamaha’s Lawson Bopping in the closing stages.

Gavin Faith (right) won the Lites main ahead of Kade Mosig (centre) and Luke Styke (left). Image: Rice Photography.

It was a mixed night of results for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing, with Ben Townley and Ford Dale both non-finishers in the Open race as Gavin Faith stamped his authority on the Lites class clash with a 4.52-second win over Kade Mosig.

Faith finished last season’s championship in second and, with a season of AMA Supercross under his belt, returns as a matured competitor and a major title threat.

BCP Honda Fox Racing’s Geran Stapleton took the early Lites lead before Faith found his rhythm on lap five.

Despite only being back in the country for a week, Faith said he already felt comfortable with the team and on the bike.

“It was a great first-up race for me – it was a perfect day and I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” said Faith.

“The bike felt good, I have only been here for a week so I didn’t get a huge amount of testing in but I did a lot of preparation before I left the US.

“It is good to be back with the team and I really think it is easier the second time around.”

Five different manufacturers filled the top five places in a hotly-contested Lites race.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Kade Mosig was a strong second ahead of Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha’s Luke Styke.

Suzuki rider Steven Clarke was fourth, with KTM’s Ryan Marmont coming home in fifth.

Honda Thor rider Hayden Mellross scored the most dominant Main Event victory of the night, winning the 12-lap Under 19s race by 7.224 seconds over KTM’s Kale Makeham and Suzuki’s Jay Wilson.

Aaron Tanti was a clear victor on his KTM in the Junior Lites class, with Blake Sola narrowly holding out KTM teammate Elias Dukes in the Juniors 85/150 battle.

Today over 200 competitors – aged from just seven through to mature-aged riders – have converged on the venue for the opening round of the Thor Australian Arena X Championships, an opportunity for young and up-and-coming riders to gain experience on a world-class track.

The second round of the Terex Australian Supercross Championship will be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 27-28 October, a landmark event for the sport which will see it showcased to the international MotoGP audience.

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