Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

Yamaha Racing teams again experienced another successful weekend of racing at round two of the MX Nationals with all four supported teams represented on the podium for the day in the three major championship classes.

Dean Ferris (MX1) and Nathan Crawford (MX2) lead the way on the day taking dominant round victories while Jay Wilson (MX2), Wilson Todd (MX2) and Hugh McKay (MXD) all claimed podium positions in a great day for the bLU cRU teams. In fact, the MX2 podium was and all Yamaha affair.

In the series standing, Yamaha lead the way in both MX1 and MX2 with Ferris and Crawford both in control, while Hugh McKay sits in second place in the MXD class, just three points from the lead.

A bLU cRU round review of the Appin event can be viewed : https://youtu.be/ZoX08bbC9vc

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team – MX1
“It was a much better performance all round from both our riders this weekend,” said team manager, Craig Dack. “Dean looked a lot more comfortable on this track at Appin then at round one and he carries a lot of confidence here as he is yet to lose a round at Appin since his return back to Australian in 2016.

“He managed to shrug off not making Superpole to turn it around for two moto wins and increase his lead in the championship. That’s four on the trot for him but he knows not to get too far ahead of himself and his self-discipline is a big part of his success.

“I’m also please Dylan was able to bounce back from round one and race the way we all know he can. He was pretty down on himself after Newry but he turned up at Appin in a positive frame of mind and was determined to get his season back on track.

“He was unlucky to miss out on the podium but if he continues to show the fight and speed he did on the weekend, then there will be plenty more podiums for him in the future,” Dack ends.

Serco Yamaha – MX2
“Nathan rode two great races today and was in the best form I have seen him,” explains Serco boss, Gavin Eales. “I like the way he races with a mature head now and is patient when he needs to be yet can still go all out when the time comes. His first moto at both the rounds have been great rides by him and it sets up his day perfectly.

“Wilson was much better this week as well. He got a terrible start in race one but he was able to keep moving forward to get a reasonable result and then moto two was good and he matched the pace of everyone to move into second place and make it a 1-2 result for the team in that race.

“I think Wilson will continue to improve as the championship wears on. He is starting to find his feet now and I think he will be one to watch at the next race in Wonthaggi.

“But overall, I’m really pleased with the teams work on the weekend and a 1-3 result for the round and in the championship as well, so it has been a good reward for everyone’s work.”

Yamalube Yamaha Racing – MX2
“A tough weekend to balance the emotions of the team as we experienced some highs with Jay Wilson who lead both races and managed to finish second for the day in a confidence boosting weekend for him, and some lows, as Richie Evans fell and injured his hand that looks likely to keep him on the sidelines for a while,” Scott Bishop outlines.

“Jay was riding well on the weekend and from the moment he hit the track in practice you could see he was ready to make the most of his day. He put himself in good situations, raced the track well and was smart when he needed to be and now that he has got this result, he will grow from it.

“Richie was devastated after the race and felt he had let a lot of people down which isn’t the case. I explained to him that we are disappointed for him, not in him as injuries are part of the sport. I’m sure a lot of people have noticed how well he was riding and I have no doubt that when he returns he will be back faster, fitter and better than when he left. He is motivated and ready to keep on the steep learning curve he is on.”

WBR Bulk Nutrients Yamaha – MXD
“Both our boys had to work for their results on the weekend and even though we didn’t get the round overall, I’m really proud of the way both riders just fought it out until the very end,” explains Travis Whitten.

“Appin can be a tough track to ride and an even harder track to race but both the riders dug in a did the best they could on the day which is all you can ask.

“Bailey didn’t get great starts and it can be hard to move forward on this track as passing isn’t easy. He has great skill and talent on a bike and his speed is as good as anyone’s so once he can figure out his starts, I’m sure he will be extremely difficult to beat.

“Hugh is just a diesel machine. He continues to work away and give his all every time he hits the track. I never question his commitment to giving his best and every corner of every lap is 100%.

“Both riders are inside the top five and the points are tight so we will work hard to make sure we have a great weekend at Wonthaggi as that is shaping up as a championship defining weekend for the MXD class.”

Rounds three and four of the MX Nationals take place on the Wonthaggi Circuit on May 20 / 21.