News 27 Apr 2014

Lamont scores Wonthaggi MX2 MX Nationals victory

New Zealand champion back on top as Clout retains red plates.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Husqvarna Red Bull WIL Sport NZ Racing rider Kayne Lamont has had a great day at the third round of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals, taking outright honours in the Motul MX2 class.

The New Zealander proved that his opening round victory at Broadford was no fluke, registering second and first placings from his two races to take the outright honours.

Serco Yamaha rider Luke Clout added a fifth placing in the second moto to his opening race win, to take second place overall for the round. Hamish Harwood (CMR Redbull KTM) finished the round in third place overall after a consistent fourth and second from his two races.

In the opening MX2 moto on the day, it was Raceline Pirelli Suzuki rider Geran Stapleton who shot to the front to claim the holeshot on his comeback from injury.

Stapleton strapped himself in and was looking good to complete a fairytale comeback, however disaster struck the Suzuki rider on the last lap of the moto. An unfortunate crash halfway through the final lap relegated him to third place, allowing Clout and Lamont to stream through and take the moto win and second place respectively.

It was a great ride from series leader Clout who finished the opening lap in eighth position, and managed to negotiate his way up the field throughout the race. By lap seven of the 17 lap race, Clout had pushed up into third and was patient in his quest to take the race win, grabbing the lead on the last lap to claim the win.

Lamont finished in third after some great mid-race battles with Harwood who finished fourth and Wade Hunter taking his KTM to fifth.

Series contender Kale Makeham (Tunetech Racing KTM) was left to rue a poor start that had him back in 14th after the opening lap, however he did manage to climb back to ninth outright for the race.

In the second race of the class, Lamont dominated from start to end – taking the holeshot and opening a lead that no one was able to reign in. Harwood managed a clean start and despite his best efforts to catch his Kiwi counterpart, he had to settle for second place.

The battle for third to fifth placings was far more competitive with SD3 Husqvarna rider Luke Arbon working hard to keep Errol Willis (Axis Motorsports Yamaha), Daniel Banks (KTM) and Clout at bay.

Arbon did well and managed to finish third in the race, while Willis finished in fourth.

Despite finishing the opening lap in seventh place, Clout clawed his way back into fifth by the time the chequered flag was raised, which could be important for the final points tally come the end of the year.

In the overall championship standings, Clout maintained a handy break from his nearest rival, still 13 points clear of round-winner Lamont. Harwood remains in touch with the leaders a further two points behind Lamont and sitting in third outright.

Click here for MX1 report.

Click here for MXD report.

2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round three – Wonthaggi, VIC

MX2 overall results:
1. Kayne Lamont 67
2. Luke Clout 61
3. Hamish Harwood 60
4. Luke Arbon 51
5. Errol Willis 51
6. Brenden Harrison 50
7. Kale Makeham, 46
8. Jay Wilson 45
9. Geran Stapleton 44
10. Jake Emanuelli 42
11. Riley Graham 40
12. Joel Milesevic 37
13. Daniel Banks 36
14. Caleb Ward 31
15. Daniel McEntee 29
16. Matt van Slooten 27
17. Joel Evans 27
18. Wade Hunter 26
19. Ryan Marmont 20
20. Tomas Ravenhorst 20

MX2 championship standings:
1. Luke Clout 207
2. Kayne Lamont 194
3. Hamish Harwood 192
4. Brenden Harrison 180
5. Kale Makeham 167
6. Jay Wilson 149
7. Errol Willis 140
8. Wade Hunter 140
9. Luke Arbon 137
10. Ryan Marmont 135
11. Caleb Ward 121
12. Joel Milesevic 108
13. Daniel Banks 100
14. Nick Sutherland 97
15. Nick Scott 97
16. Jake Emanuelli 96
17. Daniel McCoy 91
18. Hamish Dobbyn 89
19. Geran Stapleton 88
20. Riley Graham 87

Click here for detailed results

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