Suzuki Australia press release:

The KSF ECSTAR Suzuki racing team will take the positives out of a hard-fought second round of the Pirelli MX Nationals held at Appin, NSW on Sunday the 29th of April.

Heading into round two off the back of a solid top ten overall result as the season opener, MX2 pilot Jesse Madden was looking for another consistent result aboard his Suzuki RM-Z250.

After qualifying in 16th position, Jesse spent both moto’s working through the field due to early race crashes.

Showing great speed and determination the 22-year-old worked his way up to 15th position at the end of the opening 30 minute plus one lap opening moto, then pushed even further through the field in the shorter 20 minute plus one lap second moto to finish in a solid 12th place.

His combined effort had Madden round out the day in 12th overall and holding down 12th in the current championship standings.

“It was a pretty up, and down day today, Madden admitted. “I started off qualifying in 16th.

“In moto one I went down at the start putting me at the back of the field then worked my way back through to 15th

“ The second race I got off to another average start getting banged up with another rider and had to ride through the field to a 12th place finish.

“Overall I felt like I rode well today and there a lot of positives to take away. I’ll keep my head up and focus on getting ready for round three at Wonthaggi.”

For fellow MX2 pilot, Jordan Hill, it was a mixed return to racing on the national circuit.

Riding his race bike for the first time this weekend after signing on with the team earlier in the week, Hill qualified down in 23rd position, before going on to show some good form in the early part of the opening moto, holding on to finish 16th.

Things were looking even better in the early part of the second moto, with Noosa, Qld resident running inside the top ten before he was cleaned out by another rider and left in the hands of Racesafe.

“It was a bit of a mixed day today,” Hill reflected. “I qualified down in 23rd position which was a little way down the field.

“I felt good for the first 20 minutes of the opening race; I was just outside the top ten. The lack of ride time hurt a bit over the final ten minutes, but I was able to hold on and finish in 16th.”

“I got off to a good start in the second race and was sitting inside the top ten and feeling good. Then another rider decided to jump across me in the air and take me out.”

“It left me pretty bruised and banged up, but luckily nothing is broken. Ill head home and rest up and get myself ready for the next round.”

Keiron Hall made a valiant attempt to return to racing early after tearing the ligaments off his thumb earlier this year.

After taking to the track for practice and qualifying, Hall decided to line up for the opening MX1 moto of the day aboard his KSF ECSTAR Suzuki RM-Z450.

Hall got off to a great start and was pushing early, however, the with his thumb still not at 100% he was forced to pull out of the race with the team making the decision to play it safe and use the small break between rounds two and three for further recovery head of the season’s first big doubleheader.

“I went out for qualifying and felt ok, the thumb was undoubtedly sore, and it was my first ride since suffering the injury, but I felt like I could line up for the opening race.

“I got off to a great start and pushed hard in the opening lap. It was, and I pushed as hard as I could, but it proved to be too much for my thumb at this point.

“I’ll take the next week or two to let it heal further, with the aim of getting back on the bike and getting some riding done in the week leading up to Wonthaggi.”

The KSF ECSTAR Suzuki racing team will next be in action on the 19th and 20th of May at Wonthaggi, Victoria for the first of two big doubleheader weekends, that will see riders take to the track for a full round of racing on both the Saturday and Sunday.