Link International press release:
The final rounds of the 2016 Australian Supercross Championship took place this past weekend at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, which hosted the sport’s top riders for the AUS-X Open on November 12-13. Team Genuine Honda Racing’s Justin Brayton entered the weekend in control of the SX1 Championship Standings aboard his Pirelli-supported CRF450R. Brayton relied on consistency throughout the thrilling two-day event to capture his first-ever Australian Supercross Championship.
“Pirelli would like to congratulate and thank Justin and the Honda Genuine Team on capturing the SX1 Australian Supercross Championship,” said Don Nicholas, Product Manager Pirelli Moto – Link International Australia. “Justin has worked with Pirelli for many years in the USA racing and developing the SCOPRION™ MX range, so we are excited to have him racing here in Australia. It’s a fantastic result for Pirelli’s new SCOPRION™ MX32™ PRO and our philosophy “we sell what we race, we race what we sell” that refers to the entire Pirelli tire lineup.”
On the opening night of the AUS-X Open, Brayton controlled the SX1 race early by setting a blistering pace at the front of the field and leading until Lap 16. A small mistake forced him into a bobble as he surrendered the lead, however, the No.10 Honda rider regrouped to finish the 20-Lap Main Event in second place. The runner-up finish allowed for Brayton to clinch the title with one night of racing still remaining.
With the championship pressure lifted off of his shoulders, Brayton was motivated heading into night two and had his sights set on grabbing the win at the final round of the season. As the gate dropped for the SX1 Main Event, Brayton battled bar-to-bar for the holeshot as the field roared into the first turn. Misfortune struck the American when he collided with another rider and veered off of the track, ultimately him to circulate the opening lap nearly dead last. The veteran charged the entire race as he clawed his way through the pack with an inspiring performance to round out the podium in third.
In addition to Brayton’s impressive three race wins on the season, Pirelli placed seven riders inside of the top-10 in the SX1 Championship Standings thanks to the incredible performance of the SCOPRION™ MX tire lineup.
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