Dunlop Tyres press release:

Dunlop racers swept the top spots of all four classes at the second round of the 2016 MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, at Appin in New South Wales on Sunday.

With his 1-3 results CDR Yamaha’s former MXGP star Dean Ferris finished on top of the MX1 box after an enthralling day of racing around the hillside circuit and will enter round three at Broadford carrying the prized red plates to mark he’s the new championship leader.

Ferris split MX1 race wins with SD3 Husqvarna’s Brett Metcalfe, whose 4-1 result rewarded him with second overall and moved him up to fifth in the points chase.

KTM Motocross Racing Team’s defending champion Kirk Gibbs found himself in contention all day with his 2-4 result seeing him claim fourth overall on the day and maintaining second in the championship ladder, just two points adrift of Ferris. Ferris’ CDR Yamaha teammate Dan Reardon finished the day in sixth overall.

In the hotly-contested MX2 class, KTM Motocross Racing Team racer Caleb Ward built on his championship lead with a commanding riding display around the rutted, hard-pack circuit. Ward convincingly won the opening race by more than eight seconds then finished third in the second race to claim the day’s top position.

Behind him SD3 Husqvarna’s Luke Arbon was a model of consistency, with his brace of fourth positions earning him third overall for the day. Other MX2 Dunlop-equipped racers to finish the day inside the top 10 overall were Serco Yamaha’s Wade Hunter (sixth), DPH Yamaha’s Jed Beaton (eighth) and Wilson Todd (ninth and the day’s fastest qualifier).

Rounding out a highly successful day of racing for Dunlop racers, Yamalube Yamaha Racing duo Jordan Hill and Mitch Evans traded race victories in the MXD class. Hill’s 3-1 result (which earned him the round win) saw him climb the championship rankings to fifth, while Evans’ 1-4 race postings saw him stand on the day’s podium in third overall. SD3 Husqvarna’s Kaleb Barham came away from Appin with sixth overall.

Dunlop’s national motorcycle manager Sebastian Mincone was ecstatic with Dunlop’s results from the championship’s second round: “This was another successful MX Nationals round for Dunlop. My congratulations to Dean and Brett with their wins in the MX1 class.

“Also to Caleb for his win in the MX2 class and Mitch and Jordan for their victories in MXD. After two rounds we have Dunlop-shod bikes leading the overalls in both MX1 and MX2 classes, which is a fantastic start to a hotly-contested series.”

Dunlop’s success didn’t end within the three regular categories at the MX Nationals, with KTM-mounted Caleb Grothues winning both Rising Star Rookies races on his 125 SX for the overall victory at round one of the Junior ranks.

The third round of the 2016 MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, will be held at Broadford, Victoria, on 1 May.

Visit www.dunloptyres.com.au or find Dunlop Tyres Australia & New Zealand on Facebook and @ridedunlopau on Instagram for further information on the brand.