Image: Foremost Media.

Queenslander Todd Waters has fired the first shot at Coolum’s 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals finals, controlling both Thor MX1 sprint races to build upon his points lead in the penultimate round of the championship.

DPH Motorsport Husqvarna’s Waters has been relentless in the dark sands of the Sunshine Coast-based circuit, topping Raceline Super Pole this morning and then going on to win both sprint races in commanding fashion.

The opening MX1 affair saw Waters win by 6.443s ahead of Kirk Gibbs (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) and holeshot winner Dylan Long (Empire Kawasaki), while title challenger Luke Clout (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) had to battle his way through the pack from a difficult start to P4. Richie Evans (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) completed the top five.

Following a five-minute break in between, Waters got out front early once again and was never headed, this time crossing the line with a 6.269s advantage over Clout, while Gibbs fought back from a bad start to third. Davey Motorsports KTM’s Caleb Ward was fourth and Evans once again fifth.

Combined, Waters was declared the opening moto winner over Gibbs and Clout, which now sees the number 47 grow his championship lead to nine points. Long was credited fourth position ahead of Evans, with the top 10 completed by Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing), impressive privateer Connor Tierney (Yamaha), Zak Small (Husqvarna) and Charlie Crech (Husqvarna).

Down the order in 11th after recording 10-13 finishes was Hayden Mellross (Raceline KTM Thor), gritting his teeth through the knee injury suffered last weekend, while Jesse Dobson (Husqvarna) was a notable non-finisher after heavily crashing out of the first sprint race.

Image: Foremost Media.

Moto one of the Pirelli MX2 class saw defending champion Wilson Todd (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) score a pivotal win, only 0.760s ahead of championship rival Kyle Webster (Penrite CRF Honda Racing) in a fascinating dual.

Wilson jumped out of the gates first and took the holeshot, however, Webster quickly attacked and went into the lead. Todd then countered to move back into P1, but then it was Webster who struck back in a bid to take control of the moto. On lap four Todd retook charge at the front and went on to win.

Webster, after dropping back to third behind Nathan Crawford (Serco Yamaha) in the mid-stages, charged back up to second and onto the rear wheel of Todd in the closing turns. He put a last lap move on a fast-finishing Crawford, who crossed the line third, was followed by Jay Wilson (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) and Aaron Tanti (Serco Yamaha).

It was Ricky Latimer (Yamaha) who claimed sixth place over Dylan Wills (Davey Motorsports KTM), while Lochie Latimer (Yamaha), pole-setter Bailey Malkiewicz (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) and Jai Constantinou (Honda) filled the top 10.

Image: Foremost Media.

Opening the Motul MXD weekend with a win was New Zealand’s Maximus Purvis (WBR Yamaha) after making a number of major mistakes, eventually finishing ahead of Noah Ferguson (KTM) by 1.183s, with red plate-holder Regan Duffy (Raceline KTM Thor) riding to third as he looks to seal the title this weekend.

Duffy rebounded from a slow start and then went down, but salvaged third in the end. Fourth went to Jai Walker (Husqvarna), followed by Jayce Cosford (Yamaha), Rhys Budd (Penrite CRF Honda Racing), Brodie Ellis (Yamaha), holeshotter Liam Walsh (KTM), Tye Jones (Husqvarna) and Ethan Ashmore (Husqvarna).

Detailed results