Image: Jeff Crow.

Privateer Luke Arbon has earned maximum points at round three of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals at Wonthaggi to take a narrow lead in the Motul MX2 class of the 2014 South Cup.

Suzuki rider Lewis Woods claimed maximum points on offer in the Monster Energy MX1 class to extend his lead at the top of the leaderboard in the same competition.

The South Cup is a separate competition designed exclusively for privateers with points accumulated from the Broadford, Wonthaggi, Swan Hill and Murray Bridge rounds of the championship.

With only two riders competing in the competition in the MX1 class for the round, Woods did enough to claim the 35 points on offer from fellow Suzuki rider Matt Ginders who received 32.

Arbon managed to record 10th and third place finishes from his two motos which was enough to move past round one winner Daniel Banks (14th and 12th) in the overall standings.

Speaking after the event, Arbon said he felt he rode well considering some issues he encountered in the opening moto.

“I felt good – I finally got a good start in the first moto and I rode solid for the first 10 minutes before I got a little frustrated,” he said. “I started getting arm pump and just hit a wall. I went back to 10th so I definitely wasn’t happy after that race.

“I regrouped and came out in the second race with a different mindset and just relaxed. It made it a lot easier – I didn’t get arm pump which allowed me to ride my bike the way I know I can, so it felt great to be up in the top three.”

The South Australian was full of praise for the Privateer Cup concept, admitting that the life of a privateer rider is pretty tough. However he said that he was lucky to have such tight support helping him out.

“The privateer cup, it’s cool to see the promoter doing that and giving the privateers that aren’t making factory bonuses something to race for. It’s cool just to get the recognition.

“It’s definitely hard competing as a privateer. The main thing is the cost of everything. But I’m lucky enough to have a lot of people who are helping me out a great deal and making it a lot easier.

“It’s just the travelling – the travel time is crazy. Australia is such a big place and you have to drive so far and that’s probably the main thing.

“I need to thank SD3 Husqvarna, Ivan Silvy, my dad and everyone that helps get me onto the track and gets me out there.”

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

MX1 South Cup round results:
1. Lewis Woods 35
2. Matt Ginders 32

MX2 South Cup round results:
1. Luke Arbon 35
2. Riley Graham 32
3. Joel Milesevic 30
4. Daniel Banks 28
5. Matt van Slooten 26
6. Tomas Ravenhorst 25
7. James Brown 24
8. Tom Jones 23

MX1 South Cup standings:
1. Lewis Woods 70
2. Matt Ginders 64
3. Alex Morris 30
4. Dylan Gosling 28
5. Brodie Hartin 26
6. Chris Camilleri 25
7. Nick Bressan 24

MX2 South Cup standings:
1. Luke Arbon 67
2. Daniel Banks 63
3. Joel Milesevic 58
4. Riley Graham 57
5. Matt van Slooten 56
6. Tomas Ravenhorst 49
7. Tom Jones 49
8. James Brown 24
9. Paul Humberston 23