Image: Jeff Crow.

Serco Yamaha’s Luke Clout will look to improve his final moto performance at remaining rounds of the Monster Energy MX Nationals as he continues to fend off the two-strokes of MX2.

Clout scored his second moto win of the year at Wonthaggi on Sunday with a solid come from behind ride, then retained the series leader’s red plate with fifth in moto two and second overall for the round.

But it was the fifth position in moto two that Clout will need to improve upon as the season progresses aboard his YZ250F four-stroke, struggling to move forward following a mid-pack start and unable to match his pace from moto one.

“Qualifying and moto one went well,” Clout commented. “I was able to generate good speed and make the passes when I needed to. I just had it in my mind to pass whoever was in front of me without thinking about my position in the race and I managed to pull off the win.

“Race two and I just couldn’t get the same flow going. I was getting frustrated and think I was almost trying too hard and as a result not flowing and making mistakes.

“But second for the day is good and I keep the red plate. I want to work on making my second motos better, so that’s my goal for round four is to put two motos together of fast and consistent racing.”

Clout currently holds a 13-point lead in the standings after three of 10 rounds ahead of Husqvarna TC 250-mounted Kiwi Kayne Lamont, winner of rounds one and three overall.