Image: Jeff Crow.

SD3 Husqvarna rider Luke Arbon has taken the round win in the Motul MX2 class at the fourth round of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals at Murray Bridge in South Australia.

In front of over 3500 spectators, Arbon was the standout performer in the MX2 class, backing up a second place finish in the opening moto of the day with a race win in the second moto.

Instant Security KTM’s Brenden Harrison finished the event in second place (sixth and third in his two races) edging out Husqvarna Red Bull WIL Sport NZ Racing rider Kayne Lamont in third (first and 11th).

Championship leader Luke Clout (Serco Yamaha) could only manage fourth overall on the day, finishing fourth and fifth in the pair of motos.

In the opening moto, Lamont streaked the field to take the holeshot and move comfortably into the lead. It was an ominous sign for the Kiwi who was looking for a good round to make a move on series leader Clout – and it was just the start he was after.

Lamont was followed at the first corner by Arbon and Tunetech Racing KTM Australia’s Kale Makeham, and the trio finished the race in the same positions.

The only challenge to the order looked like coming from Clout who managed to pass Makeham into third in the second half of the moto, before he lost control and slipped back into fourth place, where he eventually finished.

Harrison found himself in 12th position by the end of the second lap, but worked his way through the field nicely to finish the race in fifth place.

In the second race of the day disaster struck early for Lamont who went down at the first turn, and could only manage an 11th place in the moto.

Caleb Ward rode his Wayne Leonard KTM into the holeshot, and managed to stay in first place for some time before being passed by eventual race winner Arbon.

Arbon had been battling with Clout back in third and fourth before stepping it up to get into the lead and consolidate his brilliant round win.

With Lamont having drifted down the field, Clout had an opportunity to peg back some important series points that he gave up to the kiwi in the opening race.

He managed to pass Ward into second position before an unfortunate crash saw him drop back to fourth, and he eventually finished the race in fifth.

Similarly to his charge in the first race, Harrison ended race two in third place after earlier finding himself back as far as 13th. Hamish Harwood (CMR Redbull KTM) finished the race in fourth.

In the overall championship standings, Lamont, Harrison and Arbon all managed to close the gap on series leader Clout, who holds a 12-point lead over Lamont. Harwood is a further seven points behind with Harrison and Makeham rounding out the top-five.

Round five of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals makes its way to Wanneroo in Western Australia on 25 May.

2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round four – Murray Bridge, SA

MX2 overall results:
1. Luke Arbon 67
2. Brenden Harrison 55
3. Kayne Lamont 55
4. Luke Clout 54
5. Kale Makeham 54
6. Caleb Ward 51
7. Hamish Harwood 50
8. Errol Willis 49
9. Jay Wilson 44
10. Ryan Marmont 41
11. Joel Milesevic 41
12. Geran Stapleton 39
13. Riley Graham 33
14. Jake Emanuelli 32
15. Josh Cachia 31
16. Wade Hunter, 30
17. Tom Jones 28
18. Josh Adams 27
19. Joel Evans 27
20. Matt van Slooten 26

MX2 championship standings:
1. Luke Clout 261
2. Kayne Lamont 249
3. Hamish Harwood 242
4. Brenden Harrison 235
5. Kale Makeham 221
6. Luke Arbon 204
7. Jay Wilson 193
8. Errol Willis 189
9. Ryan Marmont 176
10. Caleb Ward 172
11. Wade Hunter 170
12. Joel Milesevic 149
13. Jake Emanuelli 128
14. Geran Stapleton 127
15. Riley Graham 120
16. Nick Sutherland 115
17. Matt van Slooten 101
18. Daniel Banks 100
19. Nick Scott 97
20. Daniel McCoy 91

Click here for detailed results