Image: MXN.

The Yamaha Junior 125cc Cup category lined up for the first time this season at round one of the Motul MX Nationals at Wonthaggi yesterday, with KTM-mounted Regan Duffy battling tough competition to collect a maiden victory.

With the opportunity to race alongside the best in the country, Australia’s junior athletes revelled in the prime track conditions, with an impressive 34 junior riders taking to the track as the support class for the round.

In race one for the Yamaha 125cc Cup class it was KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team’s Mason Semmens who shot off into the early race lead where he stayed for the duration of the 15-minute moto, crossing the line with the race one win.

KTM’s Duffy held off fastest qualifier Bailey Malkiewicz (Husqvarna) on the deteriorating track surface to finish race one in second, while despite getting to an impressive start, Malkiewicz wrapped up his first race of the season in third.

In race two however, it was Duffy’s turn to take the spoils. He led from the gate-drop all the way to the chequered flag, crossing the finish line 18.063 seconds ahead of Semmens, while another 14.87 seconds behind him was Andrews, who finished third.

At the conclusion of both motos, Duffy’s 2-1 results handed him the top step of the 125cc Cup podium on a count-back. Despite finishing equal on points, second overall was taken by Semmens after finishing in second in moto two, while third was collected by Malkiewicz.