Image: Jeff Crow.

The first round of the South Cup was run and won at the season-opener of the 2015 MX Nationals in Horsham over the weekend.

The Privateer Cup concept was formulated to provide MX Nationals riders who aren’t supported by a factory team, with their own championship to aim for, and the chance to take on their own battles during the 2015 season.

With some of Australia’s most promising privateers taking part in this year’s Cup championship, the competition was tough once bikes roared to life on Sunday.

In the MX1 class, KTM-mounted Daniel Banks recorded two 19th places across his two motos, eventually taking out round one of the Cup ahead of Rory McKercher and Scott Green.

In the stacked MX2 class, it was the KTM machine of Riley Graham who took round one honours. With an impressive sixth in moto one and 12th in moto two, Graham finished the day in 10th overall and rightfully claimed round one of the South Cup.

“My weekend was not too bad. I really wanted to make top five and in the first race things were looking pretty good and I finished sixth,” he said. “I had a crash in the second one and that pushed me back a lot, but to take out round one of the South Cup, I’m pretty stoked.

“I think the privateer championships are awesome. It gives us guys who don’t get the support that the factory guys do, the chance to get some exposure and go for another championship within a championship.”

Coming in second behind Graham was Suzuki pilot Tom Jones, ahead of James Allen who finished round one of the South Privateer Cup in third.

The next round of the South Cup will be held at round three of the MX Nationals in Broadford on 26 April.

2015 MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round one – Horsham, VIC

MX1 South Privateer Cup results:
1. Daniel Banks 35
2. Rory McKercher 32
3. Scott Green 30

MX2 South Privateer Cup results:
1. Riley Graham 35
2. Tom Jones 32
3. James Allen 30
4. Tomas Ravenhorst 28
5. Jacob Williams 26
6. Luke Lee 25
7. Joel Green 24