Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

Serco Yamaha’s Jacob Hayes made his second trip to the podium in as many rounds after claiming second place at round four of the Australian Supercross Championship, held in Adelaide over the weekend.

Contesting the super competitive SX2 (250cc) class, US import Hayes, is finding his feet here in Australia and proving to be a consistent performer as the championship progresses after taking another podium position on the weekend in front of a good-sized crowd gathered at the Gillman Speedway.

With the triple final format in play again at Adelaide, the SX2 riders faced three, eight lap main events to determine the round winner and on a fast and flowing track. The racing was tight with plenty of banging and barging going on as 20 riders fought over the same piece of ground in some wild racing enjoyed by the South Australian crowd.

Hayes charged to 2-7-3 results in each of the mains and finished in second place. The only blemish in his night was the seventh-place finish where he was involved in a first turn pile up that saw him pick up his YZ250F towards the rear of the field and desperate to make up as many positions as possible in the next few minutes.

The podium position at Adelaide now has him locked on points with team mate Wilson Todd for third place and with one round remaining at Sydney, there is still plenty of action to come before this championship is settled.

“Overall, it was a positive weekend for me as it’s always good to be standing on the podium at the end of the night,” Hayes explains. “This triple final format keeps everyone on their toes and it’s important to stay calm and focused for all three races as a bad one can cost you or a good one can save you, so you need to be 100% every time you walk to the start line.

“I’m still yet to win a round yet and I got one chance left at the final round in Sydney. It’s an indoor circuit and suits what I race back in the US, so I’m really looking forward to the AUS-X Open and finishing the season out with a win,” Hayes said.

Team mate, Wilson Todd also put together another consistent night that saw him finish in fifth place with 6-2-7 results. Todd just wasn’t able to get himself in good position early in races one and three and was always having to make passes as he charged through the field. When he was able to get a good jump from the gate, he raced to a second-place finish and showed he has plenty of speed when he has clear track.

“It wasn’t a great night for me as I didn’t get the results I wanted coming into this round. After winning round three, I really wanted to keep that momentum going this weekend, but I just didn’t get the starts I needed in the finals and passing on this track was tough as everyone’s speed is evenly matched.

“But, it’s not over yet as there are only 13 points that separate the top four in the championship and I will be giving it my all at the final round to get another round win and gain as many places in the championship as I can,” Todd ends.

The fifth and final round of the Australian Supercross Championship hits down town Sydney at the plush Qudos Bank Arena on November 10.