Image: MXN.

A heated Murray Bridge round of the 2016 Motul MX Nationals saw Todd Waters (MX1), Caleb Ward (MX2) and Connor Tierney (MXD) stand atop the podiums on Sunday.

A thrilling opening MX1 moto at Murray Bridge had fans watching closely this afternoon in South Australia as Wilson’s Coolair Motul Suzuki rider Todd Waters claimed his second race win of the season.

In dry, windy conditions, Waters made his way through to the front of a five-rider freight train, eventually crossing the finish less than a second ahead of longtime leader Kade Mosig (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki), with points leader Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha) third.

He got the better of defending champion Kirk Gibbs (KTM Motocross Racing Team) and Brett Metcalfe (SD3 Husqvarna) – that trio finishing just over two seconds apart.

The top 10 was rounded out by Daniel Reardon (CDR Yamaha), Matt Moss (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki), Jacob Wright (DPH Motorsport Yamaha) on debut with his new team, Dylan Long (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) and Jesse Dobson (KTM Motocross Racing Team) upon return from injury.

It came down to a battle of the South Australians in moto two of the MX1 division and, much to the delight of the local fans, reigning number one plate holder Gibbs charged to victory after overcoming initial pace-setter Metcalfe in the closing laps.

Gibbs built an advantage in the final moments to best Metcalfe, while Waters made his way to third in the moto – enough to secure the overall. Fourth across the line was Ferris, from Moss, Mosig, Long, Daniel Banks (Davery Motorsports KTM), Wright and Luke Wilson (Wilson’s Coolair Motul Suzuki).

Overall for today it was moto one winner Waters who claimed victory via his 1-3 finishes, bettering Gibbs’ 4-1, while Metcalfe concluded his homecoming – he’s now headed back to race the Canadian nationals – in third. The championship points now see Gibbs take charge by a point over Ferris and Waters a further four behind in third.

Image: Jordan Deckert.

A disruption to the timing and scoring system delayed the opening MX2 moto results, however once officially finalised it was Caleb Ward (KTM Motocross Racing Team) who was confirmed as the moto winner.

Ward overcame red plate holder Jed Beaton (DPH Motorsport Yamaha) for the victory by around 17 seconds, while early leader Nathan Crawford (Husqvarna) completed the podium.

Top of the two-strokes was Jayden Rykers (Davey Motorsports KTM) in fourth, closely trailed by pole-setter Wilson Todd (Serco Yamaha).

Positions six through 10 were completed by Jake Moss (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki), Dylan Wills (Raceline Pirelli KTM), Dean Porter (KTM), Richie Evans (Yamaha) and Keiron Hall (Yamaha).

Wade Hunter was a notable non-finisher, going under observation by RACESAFE, while Luke Arbon (SD3 Husqvarna) didn’t start following his injuries sustained testing on Saturday.

A convincing performance from Ward saw his sweep the round with the moto two victory, making his way to the lead in the opening half of the race and he was never headed.

It was the ultimate way to bounce back for the title favourite following a horror Broadford round, topping Crawford and opening laps leader Moss in the race.

Beaton was directly behind for fourth at race’s end, while Porter turned heads to complete the top five. Wills, Todd, Hamish Harwood (Davey Motorsports KTM), Joel Wightman (Honda CRF Racing) and Hunter were the top 10 finishers.

Overall for the round it was Ward who stood atop the rostrum, with Crawford second and Beaton third. It’s still Beaton who remains at the head of the standings, one point ahead of Crawford, while Moss is third. Ward moved back to fourth, now 20 outside the lead.

In the opening MXD moto of the round points leader Connor Tierney (MXR&D Husqvarna) took victory by a comfortable margin of over five seconds, with Jordan Hill (Yamalube Yamaha) and Cooper Pozniak (KTM) following him across the line.

Fourth was Wade Kirkland (Raceline Pirelli KTM), while Kaleb Barham (SD3 Husqvarna), Zak Small (Husqvarna), Lochie Latimer (Yamaha), Levi McManus (Suzuki) and Tyler McCoy (Yamaha) filled the top 10 placings.

The final MXD moto was won comfortably by Evans, the factory-supported YZ250F rider over 20 seconds ahead of the field in a strong finish to his round.

However it was second in the race for points leader Tierney that sealed him the round win, extending his championship advantage in the process.

Joining the duo on the podium was Kirkland, followed by Pozniak, Barham, Justin Hart (Husqvarna), Small, McManus, McCoy and Sam Pelz (Yamaha). For the round Tierney topped Kirkland and Pozniak, also leading the series from the same pair.