Image: Jordan Deckert.

CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris has won round two of the 2016 Motul MX Nationals at Appin in New South Wales today, taking the red plate in the process following round two of the series.

A thrilling opening MX1 moto saw Ferris capture his second win of the year, clawing his way to the top spot on the final lap after working his way by Kirk Gibbs (KTM Motocross Racing Team) and Todd Waters (Wilson’s Coolair Motul Suzuki) in the closing laps.

Waters led for the majority of the race until he came under pressure from Gibbs, but it was Ferris who stormed to the front when it counted.

Ferris won from Gibbs and Waters, while Brett Metcalfe (SD3 Husqvarna) climbed through the field for a fighting fourth.

Fifth and sixth were National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki teammates Matt Moss and Kade Mosig, while Dan Reardon (CDR Yamaha), Jacob Wright (KTM), Jay Wilson (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) and Lawson Bopping (DPH Motorsport Yamaha) filled the top 10.

American-based SD3 Husqvarna rider Metcalfe rose to the challenge in the second MX1 moto at Appin, making his way to the front and capturing his first MX Nationals race win. It was an impressive performance from Metcalfe, who first overcame Moss for the lead and held Waters and Ferris at bay.

It was Waters who crossed the line second this time out, from Ferris and Gibbs – that trio running in succession once again. Fifth was Matt Moss in a consistent effort, the top 10 filled by Reardon, Dylan Long (Crankt Protein Honda Racing), Mosig, Wright and Wilson.

Overall it was Ferris the victor from Metcalfe and Waters, while in the standings it’s now Ferris with the red plate ahead of Gibbs and Waters.

“I’m stoked to get the round win today, the plan was always just to get through the first round, but honestly I was pretty disappointed not to get the win in Horsham,” Ferris said.

“It’s nice to get the overall win here at Appin, but I’ve got to give a lot of respect to my competitors, everyone is riding very well and it’s great to be back at the MX Nationals. I’m having so much fun riding with the CDR Yamaha team, so it’s nice to give those guys a good result.

“Everyone is fast at the moment, and when you’ve got the red plate you’ve always got a target on your back, but I’ll just keep doing my best to ride well. The first three rounds are critical so we want to be putting ourselves in the best position possible.”

The first MX2 moto of the round belonged to championship leader Caleb Ward (KTM Motocross Racing Team), winning the 30-minute outing by over eight seconds from Jake Moss (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki), who in turn held Jayden Rykers (Davey Motorsports KTM) at bay for position.

Fourth resulted in a strong haul of points for Luke Arbon (SD3 Husqvarna), overcoming early leader Wilson Todd (Serco Yamaha) and Kale Makeham (Proformance Yamaha).

The top 10 was completed by Wade Hunter (Serco Yamaha), Nathan Crawford (Husqvarna), Dylan Wills (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki) and Jed Beaton (DPH Motorsport Yamaha).

The second MX2 moto of the round saw a return to the top step of the podium for Makeham, near 10 seconds ahead of Crawford, while Ward was promoted to third when Arbon was penalised for jumping across the side of the track.

He was still fourth from Kyle Webster (Honda), with Hamish Harwood (Davey Motorsports KTM), Beaton, Hunter, Rykers and Joel Wightman (Honda) rounding out the top 10.

Overall it was Ward with the victory, joined on the podium by Makeham and Arbon. In terms of the championship it’s Ward who retains the red plate, followed by Crawford and Jake Moss, who was 16th in the final moto this afternoon.

Yamalube Racing’s Mitch Evans won the opening MXD moto of the round comfortably by near 10 seconds ahead of championship leader Connor Tierney (MXR&D Husqvarna), with pole-setter Jordan Hill (Yamaha) third.

Justin Hart (Husqvarna) had a strong showing in fourth, trailed by Cooper Pozniak (KTM), Kaleb Barham (SD3 Husqvarna) and Wade Kirkland (Raceline Pirelli KTM). The top 10 places were filled by Zak Small (Husqvarna), Lochie Latimer (Yamaha) and Luke Abela (KTM).

The second moto of the MXDs saw pole-setter hill emerge as the victor, winning the 20-minute moto by 10 seconds from Tierney and Kirkland, with opening moto winner Evans fourth ahead of Pozniak. Small was sixth and completing the top 10 was Barham, Latimer, Abela and Silk.

Overall for the round it was the second moto winner Hill who stood on the top step, joined by Tierney and Evans. In the championship standings it’s still Tierney who is in control, followed by Pozniak and Kirkland.