Round eight of the Monster Energy MX Nationals saw an all-Pirelli MX1 podium. Image: Jeff Crow/Sport the Library.

Pirelli’s Scorpion MX Mid Soft 32 tyre proved the top performer in the Monster Energy MX Nationals’ first visit to Swan Hill in regional Victoria, with the brand taking MX1, MX2 and MXD class wins and six from a possible nine podium placings.

Well-watered soil greeted riders for the day’s early proceedings, with deep ruts developing in the unique red dirt. As the day wore on a number of hard-pack sections began to show, with the soil retaining moisture in some areas.

The changing conditions were handled capably by the Scorpion MX Mid Soft 32, illustrated by the brand’s clean sweep in the MX1 ranks.

The day belonged to Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Matt Moss, who secured Super Pole on the Scorpion MX Soft 410 rear, and raced to two dominant moto victories on the MX Mid Soft 32 front in 80/100-21 and MX Mid Soft rear in 120/80-19.

Motorex KTM riders Todd Waters and Kirk Gibbs, second and third respectively, opted for the same tyre selection and made it an all-Pirelli podium for the 450cc-powered machines.

Runaway MX2 class leader, Serco Yamaha’s Luke Styke delivered Pirelli another clear cut win, selecting the Scorpion MX Mid Soft 32 front and MX Mid Soft 32 (Mud) for his pair of moto victories.

He was joined on the podium by Tune Tech KTM’s Kale Makeham, a solid third overall.

The Pirelli-shod CMR Red Bull KTM of Hamish Harwood ensured a Pirelli clean sweep, riding to 1-3 finishes and the MXD class overall win.

The attention of teams and riders now turns to preparation for the penultimate round of the MX Nationals, to be held at Toowoomba in Queensland in just over a week.