Image: MXN.

DPH Motorsport Yamaha’s Wilson Todd returned to the winners circle today at Shepparton’s seventh round of the Motul MX Nationals in Victoria, edging out Davey Motorsports KTM’s Egan Mastin by one point for the MX2 overall victory.

In race one, Serco Yamaha’s Mitch Evans claimed victory to kickstart the round, hounding Mastin for the first part of the moto before taking over at the front on lap seven.

Evans inched away from there for a 9.120s victory ahead of title rival Todd after he worked his way from outside the top 10, while Kyle Webster (Penrite CRF Honda Racing) closed out the top three in third.

Pole-setter Mastin finally crossed the line in fourth at race’s end ahead of Jayden Rykers (Raceline Pirelli KTM), as standout privateer Richie Evans (Yamaha), Dylan Wills (KSF Racing Husqvarna), Hamish Harwood (Davey Motorsports KTM), Jackson Richardson (Serco Yamaha) and Ricky Latimer (Yamaha) filled the top 10.

After leading the early laps of MX2 moto two Mastin went back to third, but eventually crossed the line in the lead for the race win. Runner-up was Todd, who was second on the opening lap and moved into the lead by lap five, but dropped back to P2 with a mistake on lap 10.

Third in the moto was Webster in another inspired ride ahead of Rykers and Evans, who made an error of his own in the mid-stages. Behind him was his brother Richie Evans, with the top 10 filled by Wills, Harwood, Jay Wilson (Raceline Pirelli KTM) and Latimer. Richardson was in contention for the podium until he crashed out on lap eight – an update to come.

Overall for the round consistency paid off for Todd as his 2-2 got him the overall ahead of Mastin and Evans. In terms of the championship, Todd now leads by eight ahead of Evans, with Mastin in third as three rounds remain.

In the MXD category, Callum Norton (KTM) broke through to take his first overall of the year, tying on points with Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Cody Dyce after the pair traded wins throughout the two motos – Norton was credited the win on count back.

Husqvarna’s Jy Roberts was able to maintain his points lead by finishing the weekend in third, holding a slender five-point advantage over Dyce with just one round remaining in the MXD title hunt. Rounding out the top five on the day was Cooper Pozniak (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) and Brodie Ellis (Yamaha), who were fourth and fifth respectively.

Shepparton also played host the 125cc Gold Cup open to senior riders, which saw former MX Nationals regular Cody Mackie (Husqvarna) dominate the weekend with a perfect 1-1 scorecard, defeating Kerrod Morrissy (KTM), Cameron Taylor (Yamaha) and Matt Ryan (Yamaha), who all levelled on points for second through to fourth, while Geoff Braico (KTM) concluded the top five.

Round eight of the prestigious series will head to Port Macquarie on 30 July, marking the final New South Wales stop of the championship.