Image: Foremost Media.

A case of an uncharacteristic ‘human error’ at CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha cost Luke Clout any chance of challenging to win the Penrite ProMX opener after encountering troubles in both MX1 motos at Wonthaggi.

CDR owner Craig Dack has confirmed that it was an internal error on the team’s behalf that caused Clout to exit moto two altogether with a rare shock failure.

“We put our hand up, it was our mistake – human error – and we’re very disappointed with ourselves,” Dack told MotoOnline. “We’re sincerely sorry and upset that it happened – both Luke and Hayden [Mellross] rode exceptionally well. We have a strong track record of reliability over more than 25 years, so it was really, really disappointing.”

Clout led much of the opening 25-minute encounter until curiously fading in the mid-stages and coming under attack from eventual race winner Brett Metcalfe (Mongrel Boots Honda Racing), crossing the line in second position and it’s understood that he may have also experienced problems in that outing.

Later, Clout was circulating in P2 on his way to securing an overall podium when he had to pull out of the second moto altogether, costing him valuable championship points in the process. He was credited 10th overall, now 23 points behind debut winner Regan Duffy (KTM Racing Team).

“Obviously it wasn’t the end result that we wanted, but looking back on the day, there were a lot of positives to take out of it,” Clout reflected this morning. “The sand and the way the track formed up, it’s not my strongest point, so to be where I was and have the speed that I did have, I’m really confident now.

“We ran into some issues, so with me leading the first race, being so close to everyone and faster than the majority of the guys even with the problems we ran into, just gives me more confidence. With the hard-pack tracks coming up, it’s really driven me to get some wins and get back myself back into the championship.

“We’re trying to diagnose the problems we had yesterday and there was some confusion between me and the team in the final 10 minutes of the first race. When I came in, I wasn’t tired, there wasn’t any arm-pump or nothing at all, so we were confused.

“There was then the issue in the second race and we kind of think that it could have translated into the end of the first moto, which caused me to eventually lose the lead. No excuses though, Metty rode great and I was happy to take second, but I really do think that was my race – things happen and we’ve got to put it behind us.”