HQVA press release:

SD3 Husqvarna rider Brett Metcalfe took a step closer to the MX Nationals winner’s circle yesterday when he registered his first podium for the year in tricky conditions at round two of the 2017 championship at Appin.

The experienced 32-year-old international was fourth on the day, behind defending Champion Dean Ferris, Kirk Gibbs and Todd Waters, and importantly found a new setup direction to make the next step forward in track speed.

Metcalfe powered his Husqvarna FC450 to third place during the opening moto, crashed and lost several spots, then regained third to book his podium appearance. He then took a fifth in the rain-affected second race after he was forced to throw his goggles at the halfway mark.

MX1 rookie Zak Small finished the day 17th on the Mega Motorcycles FC 350, after 19th and 15th finishes.

In MX2, Husqvarna Synep Racing’s Dylan Wills moved closer to his pre-injury form, carding sixth overall with 9-6 finishes.

Robertson’s Motorcycles racer Jy Roberts continues to impress in MXD, throttling his Husqvarna FC250 to its second runner-up finish in as many rounds, to move within two points of the national championship lead.

At Appin, he finished second to Cody Dice, while SD3/Full Throttle Husqvarna’s Kaleb Barham had to be satisfied with seventh overall after poor starts left him with 6-11 results.

The round’s Rising Star Rookies 250cc support class began strongly for Husqvarna Factory Junior Squad rider Bailey Malkiewicz, who powered his Moto GC Husqvarna TC125 into third behind Mason Semmens and Rhys Budd.

For more information on Husqvarna motorcycles visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com

Steve McKinnon – SD3 Husqvarna Team Owner: “We had reasonable qualifying for both boys. Brett muffed up his SuperPole lap, so we changed a couple of things around and went out for race one. Metty rode really hard for P3 in that race, but when MX1 were on the gate for the second moto the heavens opened. It was funny, there wasn’t that much rain but the track became an ice rink.

Metty was pretty comfortable in P3, but he had some goggle issues, both with fogging and his roll-off. He became one of maybe half a dozen guys to throw his goggles, which caused him to have another little crash. He hasn’t crashed twice in a race day probably for years, so he’s justifiably frustrated. We were P4 on the day with a 3-5 and overall the pace is there. We’ve got a couple of weeks now to refine a few more things before Conondale.

Kaleb had a tough day with bad starts, and the second race was real slippery. But he looked great at points today and he can’t wait for Conondale.”

Brett Metcalfe; “I struggled a little bit in practice with some settings, but we made huge headway with chassis/suspension relation before that first moto and we got out there and were running good track speed. I worked my way up into third and unfortunately crashed and dropped a few spots, but I was able to charge back through by the end and pick up a podium. In the second we ran the same setup and didn’t have as good a start but actually salvaged it pretty good, worked through a few spots and got up to third. I had an issue with water getting into the lens of the goggles, and after I finally threw them about half way, I instantly crashed. It was just a mistake on my behalf. I lost a lot of spots, and after that I was just trying to dodge roost and not take an eye out. It was disappointing – I felt like there was another third there that I let slip away, but anyhow…

We’re making gains, but we’ve still got a little bit to go. I’m happy to come away with a couple of top-fives, but, it isn’t what I want at all. We’re pushing to try and win some motos here.”

Dylan Wills; “Ninth in the first race was definitely not what I was looking for; I felt I was a top-four guy in that race, it’s just that two mistakes cost me on a very gnarly track. In the second I just toned it down a little, rode my own race, didn’t worry about anyone, and rolled into sixth.

There were a lot of positives to take. Right now, I’m just trying to get my racing right. There’s no issue when I practice, I’ve just got to bring that over to the races. I’m riding with some fast guys and I’m on the pace, so, I’ve just got to keep working and keep my chin up, and I’ll be there.”

Kaleb Barham; “It wasn’t a good round for me here; I got off to bad starts in both races which got me fighting from the back. I had a solid first moto, and me and Cooper ended up coming through together like a freight train through the pack on the way to fifth and sixth.

The pace was good. Then in the second it started raining and two or three little crashes earned me 11th. Still, the points are important for the championship. We’re back up to Conondale in Queensland next, so we’ll look forward to that.”

For more information on Husqvarna motorcycles visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com