Image: Jeff Crow.

Defending Monster Energy MX Nationals Champion Matt Moss has made it back-to-back victories to open 2014 for Team Motul Suzuki after sweeping the second round of the season at Appin in New South Wales this afternoon.

In the opening 30-minute MX1 moto it was Matt Moss who took control from the outset, shadowed by twin brother Jake Moss (NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki) throughout the moto, however he was unable to make any serious inroads – the end margin of victory being near eight seconds.

The battle for third was more intriguing as Kirk Gibbs (Motorex KTM Racing Team) clawed his way to the position in the closing laps after Billy Mackenzie (CDR Yamaha) made a late mistake in the moto. Completing the top five was Hayden Mellross (Raceline Suzuki), a popular finish in his second premier class appearance.

Mellross headed a host of newcomers including Jacob Wright (Tattoo Racing Suzuki), Rhys Carter (Team Motul Suzuki) and Kade Mosig (DPH Motorsport Yamaha), before Jay Marmont (CDR Yamaha) and Brock Winston (Husqvarna Motocross Racing Team) completed the top 10.

Marmont was demoted to the rear-end of the field after an opening lap incident, putting forward a gritty performance to the ninth position. Former teammate Adam Monea (NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki) did likewise until he felt the effects of an ankle injury to score 14th.

Moto two was much the same at the front as Matt Moss took charge on the opening lap and was never headed. Jake again shadowed him throughout the 30 minutes, eventually finishing five seconds in arrears for his second runner-up of the round.

Gibbs was also strong in moto two for third, again marginally ahead of Mackenzie as the top four mirrored moto one. The big improver was Monea, salvaging fifth despite his injuries, as Marmont too improved in moto two for the sixth position.

Wright, Mellross, Carter and Mosig again finished in formation, albeit in a different order to moto one, to complete the top 10 in the second premier class moto of the weekend.

“It’s good to get another win and this one felt really good to be honest,” Matt Moss commented. “Today felt like a real battle, a good race with my brother, and that’s what I look – racing is what we do this for.

“Team Motul Suzuki has given me everything I need to win, the Pirelli tyres, and I feel I have the best coach and trainer there is. It feels really good this one, that’s for sure.”

Overall it was Matt Moss who took the round victory by six points from Jake Moss, with Gibbs landing his second podium in a row with third. Mackenzie was fourth, while Wright and Mellross turned heads to secure fifth and sixth on their satellite Suzukis.

In the championship standings it’s Matt Moss who now enjoys a 20-point advantage after two round wins to open the season, from Gibbs, and Monea a further 13 points behind. Jake Moss is just one point behind him in fourth, from Mackenzie in fifth.

Click here for MX2 report

Click here for MXD and 125 Junior Cup report

2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round two – Appin, NSW

MX1 overall results:
1. Matt Moss 70
2. Jake Moss 64
3. Kirk Gibbs 60
4. Billy Mackenzie 56
5. Jacob Wright 49
6. Hayden Mellross 49
7. Jay Marmont 47
8. Rhys Carter 46
9. Kade Mosig 44
10. Adam Monea 43
11. Alex Snow 39
12. Brock Winston 38
13. Jesse Dobson 34
14. Lewis Woods 34
15. Sam Martin 33
16. Brad Groombridge 29
17. Dylan Gosling 29
18. Kieran Tisdale 29
19. Will Angel 25
20. Michael Grassick 22

MX1 championship standings:
1. Matt Moss 173
2. Kirk Gibbs 153
3. Adam Monea 140
4. Jake Moss 139
5. Billy Mackenzie 125
6. Kade Mosig 120
7. Rhys Carter 120
8. Jay Marmont 115
9. Hayden Mellross 114
10. Jacob Wright 105
11. Brock Winston 99
12. Brad Groombridge 96
13. Sam Martin 91
14. Jesse Dobson 87
15. Lewis Woods 85
16. Kieran Tisdale 66
17. Dylan Gosling 58
18. Michael Grassick 46
19. Will Angel 45
20. Matt Ginders 43

Click here for detailed results