Kawasaki Motors Australia press release:

Dylan Long has taken his first ever MX1 race win in his third round of racing aboard the factory Kawasaki KX450F at round 8 of the MX Nationals in Nowra, NSW over the weekend.

The 20 year old Victorian joined the NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing team prior to round 6 as a replacement rider for the injured Jake Moss. Since then, Dylan’s determination has paid off with top 5 results and now a race win.

“It’s amazing! It’s one of the best feelings. I’ve been wanting to get this for so long and to finally get on the podium is awesome,” Dylan exclaimed.

Dylan didn’t get off to a great start in the first moto as he familiarised with the sandy Nowra track, crossing the line in 7th. Rain held off in the second moto as Dylan shined on his KX450F. A holeshot set Dylan up for a flawless moto that eventuated in a race win.

“The last race was perfect and I was riding as solid as I could in the last four laps, just hanging out to see the last lap board. The NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team have been amazing. They have given me all the support I have needed to win so there isn’t any reason why I shouldn’t have won today and in the next rounds,” said Long who placed 2nd overall for the round.

Team mate, Adam Monea, came close to another race win on his KX450F after an intense battle for first place in moto one. An uncharacteristic stall and fall in the second moto saw Adam fall back to a 6th place finish.

“In the first race I got a really good start, I almost had a holeshot but Reardon swung around the outside and took it off me. I had a lot of digs at Reardon early on and I got close to him a few times. It took a lot of energy and made me tightened up a little bit so I dropped to finish in 3rd. That was a little annoying because I had an opportunity to win that race. So it hurt a little bit. In the second moto I had a bad start and made some mistakes so I felt like all I was doing was eating rocks for 30 minutes and that’s not what I want,” commented Adam.

Adam will look to capitalise on his overall championship position and push hard in the remaining rounds for a series podium. After round 8 of the MX Nationals he is more determined than ever to take the glory on his Kawasaki KX450F.

Team Manager and MX legend, Troy Carroll, said, “I’m absolutely ecstatic for Dylan and the team. From the start he has shown potential in his first series on the 450’s and today he’s taken a rightful win on the Kawasaki. He deserves this result after all the training and dedication and this is just the beginning for him.”

The NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team is looking forward to the second last round of the MX Nationals on 23rd of August held in Toowoomba, QLD. Keep up to date with the NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team by following us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KawasakiAustraliaMXRacingTeam.