Serco Yamaha’s Luke Styke debuted the number one plate on his way to victory in moto two. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Newly-crowned MX2 Australian Motocross Champion Luke Styke is celebrating his first professional title, captured yesterday at Toowoomba’s penultimate round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals.

Styke has been the class of the field throughout 2013 and, after finishing runner-up by a slim two-point margin one year ago, it’s a sense of redemption for the relentless 21-year-old.

With victory at eight from nine rounds contested to date – the other won by Serco teammate Luke Clout – Styke was privileged to debut the number one plate in moto two on Sunday.

“From the moment I left the final round at Coolum in 2012, I set out a plan to win the championship this year and it feels awesome to have achieved that goal,” Styke said.

“I surrounded myself with the right people, used the right products and I’m a part of the best MX2 team in Australia so to have everything fall onto place and make it happen in the last half a lap of the first race was unreal.

“Today was really special for me as I had a few of my mates up from up from home, my girlfriend was here as well as my mum and Tobz, so it was really nice to get it done in front of them.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for their efforts and support this year and the Serco Yamaha team are awesome.”

Serco Yamaha team owner Gavin Eales was proud of the team’s success, claiming its first national championship since Jake Moss in 2007.

“Luke has had an amazing year and this championship is a testament to the hard work and commitment he made to himself and to Serco Yamaha in late 2012,” Eales commented.

“I couldn’t be prouder of him and his championship as well as the entire team and staff at Serco Yamaha. Michael, Peter, Andrew and Adam have all played a huge part in this and their efforts can’t be underestimated.”

Serco has re-signed Clout for 2014, while Styke remains hopeful of securing a seat in the MX2 category of the FIM Motocross World Championship.