Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

Serco Yamaha’s Wade Hunter has put a tough MX Nationals series behind him to bounce back and take third place at the opening round of the Australian Supercross Championship, held last night at Jimboomba, just south of Brisbane.

Contesting the very competitive SX2 (250cc) class, Hunter claimed third just ahead of team mate, Jackson Richardson in fourth, in a good night for the Serco Yamaha team that has both riders well placed in the six round championship.

From moment he first turned a wheel on the Jimboomba circuit, Wade Hunter meant business. Determined to get his 2016 season back on track, he quickly got the track wired and then set about putting in some fast laps and locking down his race pace.

He easily qualified for the 15 lap main event but as the field completed lap 1, Hunter was back in eighth place and with a lot of work to do on the tight Jimboomba circuit. He put his head down and started to pick off the riders in front of him one at a time and by lap six had already made his way to third.

Unfortunately for Hunter, the leading duo of US import, Gavin Faith, and Hayden Mellross had already moved well ahead of the pack and while he tried, Hunter couldn’t bridge the gap to the lead pair and finished third for the night in a great effort.

“It’s nice to be back on the podium,” said a relieved Hunter. “Things didn’t go my way in motocross and I haven’t been having the best of seasons so far but I like supercross and I was determined to get this championship off to a good start tonight.

“With a better start, I think I can run with the two boys ahead of my but I just gave them too much head start tonight so that will be the main focus for the next few- making sure I’m in a better position early in the race,” Hunter ends.

Drafted into the Serco Yamaha team at the 11th hour after a hand injury had usual pilot, Wilson Todd sidelined, Jackson Richardson made the most of opportunity taking fourth place at the season opener.

Richardson, who has been based in the US this year, only returned back to Australia last week and jumped on a Yamaha YZ250F for the first time, in the days leading up to the opening round.

Richardson started the main event in fifth place and moved to fourth by the mid-way point in a workmanlike performance but one he hopes to improve in the coming rounds.

“The last week has been a bit crazy in getting the ride with Serco, doing some testing and just getting some time on the bike but we managed to get through and finishing fourth is a pretty good result considering what has happened.

“We have some time before the next round which will allow me to get some more riding in a feel a bit more settled on the bike so I will be shooting for the podium at round two.

“Thank you to the Serco Yamaha team for this opportunity and for their efforts over the last week to make this ride available,” Richardson said.

Wilson Todd missed the Jimboomba round due to a hand injury sustained during the week but is expected to be back behind the gate at round two on October 14.

To follow the Serco Yamaha team on social media: www.facebook.com/sercoyamaha or @sercoyamaha