Image: Foremost Media.

Penrite Honda Racing’s Brett Metcalfe has been declared a non-finisher in the opening MX1 moto at Wonthaggi’s Pirelli MX Nationals last weekend, for failing to finish the moto through the correct path.

Metcalfe’s CRF450R expired in the closing corners of the race, prompting him to push it to the finish in a gritty effort, however he was under the impression he had completed the moto despite not making it up the finishing ramp past the chequered flag.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) has moved to clarify the finishing procedures, determining that riders must pass ‘between the flexible posts situated on each side of the track that define the finish line’.

Metcalfe was initially removed from the results post-race, then reclassified by the race steward following a protest, however that decision has now been overturned by MA. It’s understood he didn’t trigger the finish-line timing loop prior to exiting to the right of the ramp and collapsing to the ground.

The subsequent changes to the results in accordance with GCR 11.16.6.1 from the Manual of Motorcycle Sport also see Jayden Rykers (Raceline Pirelli KTM) removed from the opening MX2 moto at the fourth round, in which he was initially awarded 11th position.