Team Honda Racing press release:

The Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team made further progress at round six of the Motul MX Nationals at Nowra today, with both MX1 riders Jay Wilson and Dylan Long handing the team with some positive results despite injuries.

With round six marking the team’s first outing since the mid-season break, from the minute bikes hit the track this morning, Long showed impressive form, launching his Honda CRF450 machine to second place in GoPro Superpole with a 1:43.843 lap time, while Wilson secured 9th in qualifying.

For Long, a crash during the opening stages of moto one which injured his thumb, effected his overall race result. However, Long showed true spirit, and despite carrying a injury, managed to make his way from close to dead last, to eighth position. In moto two, Long once again showcased his determination – riding through pain to wrap up the final moto in an impressive 5th place. Long’s hard fought results saw him awarded with 6th overall at the conclusion of the round.

“My day started off well and I was really happy to get second in Superpole, but in the first race I crashed while I was sitting in third and I dislocated my thumb,” Long explained.

“I actually wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to ride in race two, but Racesafe did their best to get me out there – and lucky they did because it was my best result of the day. I got a pretty average start, but about halfway through I fought through the pain and I actually started to feel good, and brought it home for a 5th.

“It’s a shame about my crash because I know how I can ride, but in saying that I’m also happy with how I went considering my injury. Now I’ll just get some X-rays and hope to be ready for round six.”

Despite still recovering from wrist surgery, in race one Wilson got to a solid start, which saw the 21-year-old race to a season best 6th place. However, in race two, the demanding Nowra track proved too much for his injury to handle, which resulted in Wilson pulling in early, unfortunately unable to finish the race.

“Today had its highs and lows that’s for sure. I was actually quite surprised with my result in moto one – after having five weeks off the bike I was happy to get a sixth,” Wilson shared.

“Unfortunately in moto two I had to make the call to pull in. The track had gotten quite rough and I had no strength at all in my wrist. I have to look at the bigger picture, and pushing my wrist when it’s still healing isn’t smart.

“Even though I had a DNF, I actually moved up a position in the championship, and I now have two more weeks to get some more physio and some more time on the bike. We are happy with how we are progressing, and I’m looking forward to getting back to my home in Queensland for Conondale.”

After today’s results, Long and Wilson now hold 6th and 7th places in the overall MX1 championship standings respectively.

The Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team will now begin preparations for round seven of the 2016 Motul MX Nationals being held at Conondale on Sunday July 16.

For more information on the Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team, head to www.teamhondaracing.com.au

For more information on the MX Nationals, head to www.mxnationals.com.au