HQVA press release:

Just three weeks after slinging a leg over his SD3 Husqvarna FC450, Brett Metcalfe has taken his first MX Nationals win, taking victory in the second MX1 Moto on his way to second on the day at round two of the series at Appin, New South Wales.

Metcalfe went 4-1 for the round to be second on the day behind Dean Ferris, and ahead of Todd Waters.

The riders with the famous crowned ‘H’ on their bikes featured in all four categories on the day, with podium finishes in the MX2 category, MXD and the Rising Star Rookies category for 125cc machines.

SD3 Husqvarna rider Luke Arbon registered his first podium finish of the championship with third, after he was officially credited with 4,4 results following a penalty for jumping off the track to avoid a hay bale.

Fellow Husqvarna Factory Support racers Nathan Crawford shook off a jarring early dismount to salvage fourth place for the day, the Husqvarna FC250 rider maintaining his second place in the championship behind Caleb Ward, who won the day with Kale Makeham second.

The Husqvarna Factory Support MXD riders were again in tremendous form, Connor Tierney’s second in the day behind Jordan Hill extending his lead in the Under 19s championship, while Kaleb Barham holds fourth in the championship after finishing sixth on the day.

If there was a hard-man award, Husqvarna factory support race Zak Small would probably have nailed it. He dislocated his shoulder in qualifying, but with it expertly taped up by Race Safe, went out and logged 8, 6 finishes for seventh on the day.

His teammate Justin Hart showed sparkling speed and looked set for a great result after fourth in the first Moto but crashed out of the second.

Husqvarna Junior Motocross Racing Team rider Calum Norton joined his older brethren in taking to the podium, posting 2, 3 finishes to finish third in the Rising Star Rookies round.

Steve McKinnon, SD3 Husqvarna Team Owner – “Metty showed the wily old dog has still got it, with fourth in the first race after a rubbish start and he just burrowed his way through the pack. He just doesn’t give up. He was over the moon with his first MX Nationals win in just his fourth start, even though he copped a couple of rocks in the face today. On a completely stock Husqvarna FC 450 he’s only been on for three weeks, he got the job done and did it pretty easy in the end, I think it’s fair to say. Luke was in great form today, he really rode hard and looked like the Luke Arbon we all know is there. Other than the 10 second penalty for Luke we would have had to second overall positions, and Kaleb fought through sixth overall despite a bit of bad luck. I still consider ourselves a little privateer team, but I think in all three classes today we took it to the big guys, and took it to them fairly hard.”

Brett Metcalfe – “That was nice to come away with a moto win, and almost the overall. It was a good racing and a good day for us all on the SD3 Husqvarna team too. I didn’t qualify that well but that’s going to be a challenge for me anyway because each track is a new track and it’s always very muddy in practice. I didn’t feel ultra comfortable but I think that’s just the way the Appin track is, with hardpacked underneath and a lot of technical and square-edged bumps. I think that was to our advantage today with the Husqvarna’s steel frame that works well in those conditions. In Moto One I got a horrible start with a wheelspin off the gate. I chipped away from 10th and ended up climbing back to fourth, but I knew my pace was good. Then in Moto two things just kind of came together and I was able to get a really good start, and I just sat second behind Matt Moss and was able to get the lead about half way in. I got a little gap, and then as they closed in at the end I just watched my pit board and managed the gap. It was great to bring the SD3 Husky home for the Moto win and second for the day.”

MX1 Championship Points after round 2:
1. Dean Ferris 127, 2. Kirk Gibbs 125, 3. Todd Waters 119, 4. Matt Moss 117, 5. Brett Metcalfe 115, 6. Kade Mosig 104, 7. Daniel Reardon 99, 8. Dylan Long 92, 9. Jay Wilson 86, 10. Kurt Wightman 69

Luke Arbon – “I’m happy to be back on the podium – that’s where I’m paid to be. I definitely improved with the way I made passes and didn’t really get passed too much. Felt solid and pretty strong on the bike. I actually got second in the last moto, but they docked me a ten second penalty for jumping off the side of a jump when there was a hay bale there. I slowed right down and got back on the track at the next safest place, but they didn’t want a bar of it. I’m looking forward to round three and hopefully getting a win.”

Nathan Crawford – “Feeling pretty second-hand tonight. In qualifying I had a pretty big crash that started a few dramas and I qualified ordinary. First moto I got a pretty ordinary start, spun off the line, I was coming through and got up to fifth within the first five minutes, and then ended up crashing and had to pass all those riders all over again. Second moto I was running fifth or something, but made a few passes and Arbon got a penalty and ended up getting second. Finished the day off not too bad but it was kind of damage control.”

MX2 Championship Points after round 2:
1. Caleb Ward 126, 2. Nathan Crawford 115, 3. Jake Moss 107, 4. Luke Arbon 106, 5. Kale Makeham 104, 6. Jed Beaton 102, 7. Wilson Todd 102, 8. Jayden Rykers 101, 9. Wade Hunter 84, 10. Hamish Harwood 81

Connor Tierney – “It was a bit of a tough day today – I was pretty tight, I didn’t really feel like I gelled with the track from the start, so I was pretty happy to stay consistent and stay on the box. I was only one point off the lead today so it was good to extend the championship gap. I couldn’t be happier. We’ll try and get a few good weeks training in, and try to keep the momentum going at Broadford.”

Zak Small – “I had a crash in practice this morning and dislocated my shoulder, so I was riding in a fair bit of pain today. But I got it strapped up by Race Safe. At was tough but I just rode my own races today, consistent with no more crashes, so it worked out well for me. It’s really sore tonight – I’ve still got it strapped up.”

Kaleb Barham – “I feel really good about today, as I’ve said these first few rounds I’m just doing what I have two do as I heal up. We get the best of starts today, unfortunately, and in the first Moto Cooper got around me so I just followed him for the rest of the Moto. In the second one I came from a long way back in the pack and ended up seventh, so I was pretty happy with that. Just trying to keep putting points towards my championship every chance I can while I work back towards full fitness.”

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