Luke Styke managed to salvage his MX2 points lead after taking a hard fall in moto one at Murray Bridge. Image: Jeff Crow/Sport the Library.

Damage control was the name of the game for Luke Styke at Murray Bridge’s round two of the Monster Energy MX Nationals, where the current MX2 series leader saw himself buried in the pack during moto one.

Following his dream season opener sweeping both motos at Raymond Terrace, Styke entered round two with momentum, but a heavy crash in moto one threatened to ruin all of his hard work.

The Serco Yamaha rider battled from the back of the back after falling on lap one, pushing all the way up to third place as the chequered flag flew at the end of the grueling 30-minute moto salvaging his points lead in the process.

“To finish up how I did considering what happened in race one was pretty good,” said Styke. “The bike got me in my crash so I’m pretty sore right now but to leave here with second place and lose only two points from my lead is good.”

Styke went on to win moto two and finish second overall behind teammate and first-time winner Luke Clout. Styke will now regroup and prepare to return to his round one form at this weekend’s Wonthaggi round.

“My focus now is to get myself up and right for next weekend at Wonthaggi,” he added.

Styke currently holds a 13-point lead overall second place Clout in the MX2 standings with eight rounds of racing remaining.