Follow all the action direct from Nowra’s sixth round of the 2016 Motul MX Nationals. MotoOnline.com.au will update this feature directly following each race as they happen throughout the round.

Image: MXN.

Practice/qualifying:
CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris clinched the GoPro Super Pole at Nowra this morning as round six of the series opens up the second half. Ferris led qualifying and then continued that form in the single-lap shootout, setting a 1m43.497s to edge out Dylan Long by less than half a second, with Kade Mosig, Todd Waters and Matt Moss (crashed) completing the session. The top 10 in regular qualifying was filled by Dan Reardon, Jacob Wright, standout local privateer Corey James, Jay Wilson and the retired Craig Anderson. In MX2 it was National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jake Moss who took the pole position at 1m45.391s ahead of red plate holder Nathan Crawford, Wilson Todd, Kyle Webster and Jed Beaton. The MXD ranks saw Lochie Latimer claim the top spot, leading title leader Connor Tierney, Wade Kirkland, Mitch Evans and Cooper Pozniak.

Motul MX2 Moto 1:
The opening MX2 moto of the round was won by KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Caleb Ward, setting the pace out front and comfortably crossing the finish line at the duration of 30 minutes ahead of Nathan Crawford (Husqvarna), Jed Beaton (DPH Motorsport Yamaha), Jayden Rykers (Davey Motorsports KTM) and Dylan Wills (Raceline Pirelli KTM). Wills got the better of fellow local Joel Wightman (CRF Honda Racing) for position, with the top 10 completed by wildcard Keiron Hall (Yamaha), pole-setter Jake Moss (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team), Wilson Todd (Serco Yamaha) and Hamish Harwood (Davey Motorsports KTM).

Pirelli MXD Moto 1:
Yamaha privateer Lochie Latimer was able to convert his pole position from earlier this morning to take victory in the first of two MXD races, fending off Mitch Evans (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), while Wade Kirkland (Raceline Pirelli KTM) completed the podium. Fourth was points leader Connor Tierney (MXR&D Husqvarna), while Cooper Pozniak (KTM), Zak Small (Husqvarna), Kaleb Barham (SD3 Husqvarna), Jordan Hill (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), Sam Pelz (Yamaha) and Lavi McManus (Suzuki) filled the top 10 placings.

Thor MX1 Moto 1:
National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Matt Moss stormed back into the MX1 winner’s circle at the end of moto one, working his way past reigning champion Kirk Gibbs (KTM Motocross Racing Team) in the opening laps and then sprinting off to a convincing six-second victory. Behind Moss was Super Pole winner Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha), who in turn overcame Kade Mosig (National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team) on the podium. Gibbs injured his knee in qualifying and crashed during the moto, but still finished fourth, after Todd Waters (Wilson’s Coolair Motul Suzuki) dropped down the order to fifth in the latter stages. The top 10 was rounded out by Jay Wilson (Crankt Protein Honda Racing), Jacob Wright (DPH Motorsport Yamaha), Dylan Long (Crankt Protein Honda Racing), Corey James (Yamaha) and returning former champion Craig Anderson (Honda).

Motul MX2 Moto 2:
Ward made it a clean-sweep in the second of the MX2 motos at Nowra to clinch the overall round win, moving to within nine points of the title lead in the process. His dominance saw him keep Todd at bay in an entertaining second moto, with Beaton crossing the line third for the second time today. In fourth came Rykers after a heated battle with Crawford, trailed by Kale Makeham (Proformance Yamaha), Hall, Wightman, Wills and Aaron Tanti (BBR Yamaha). Overall for the round it was Ward who claimed victory, topping the podium over Beaton and championship leader Crawford. It is those three who are taking control of the title race in its second half.

Thor MX1 Moto 2:
A thrilling final moto of the premier MX1 category saw Ferris inch his way to victory at steal the overall as a result. The race started out as a tight battle between opening moto winner Moss and Ferris, with Moss taking control. A late mistake however allowed Ferris to take over at the front. Moss stormed back, but it was too little, too late, with Ferris winning from Moss, Gibbs, Waters, Long, Mosig, Wright, James, Anderson and Kurt Gow (Husqvarna). Overall Ferris took victory over Moss and Gibbs, who retains the championship lead as a result. He’s now 15 points ahead of Ferris, with Waters another six behind in position three.

Pirelli MXD Moto 2:
The second moto of MXD was captured by Raceline Pirelli KTM’s Kirkland after he edged out Evans to stand on the top step in the race and overall for the weekend. In the moto it was Kirkland ahead of Evans, title leader Tierney, Pozniak, Hill, Barham, Tyler Bullen (Yamaha), McManus, Hugh McKay (Proformance Yamaha) and Jackson Coulson (Yamaha). That result secured Kirkland the overall for the round ahead of Evans by a point, with Tierney completing the rostrum. In terms of the championship it’s still Tierney leading the way, 18 points in front of Kirkland, while Evans is in third at this stage.