Image: Foremost Media.

Number one plate-holder Dean Ferris was unstoppable in Thor MX1 moto two on Saturday at Murray Bridge, round four of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals.

In what is – for now – a single appearance with Recover8 backing aboard KTM machinery, Ferris marched to a brilliant 1-1 scorecard to assert his familiar dominance.

Moto two of the premier class was a more interesting outing though, with Ferris coming under constant pressure from Raceline Superpole winner Luke Clout (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy), who eventually finished second, 3.573s in arrears.

Championship leader Hayden Mellross (Raceline KTM Thor) was directly behind the front pair in third position, stretching away from Todd Waters (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna), while Jayden Rykers (Suzuki) was once again impressive in fifth.

American import Justin Rodbell put in an inspired effort for KSF Suzuki to take sixth, ahead of Richie Evans (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), Erki Kahro (KTM), Dylan Long (Empire Kawasaki) and Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing). The round belonged to Ferris from Clout and Mellross.

Major news coming out of moto two was an incident for CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Kirk Gibbs on lap three while challenging toward the front, eventually forcing him out of the moto altogether in the latter stages.

Image: Foremost Media.

In Pirelli MX2 moto three this afternoon it was defending champion Wilson Todd (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) who rebounded will a pivotal victory, 1.278s clear of the consistent Jay Wilson (Yamalube Yamaha Racing).

Todd’s win boosted him onto the overall podium in third position, however, it was P3 in this encounter that sealed sprint races winner Kyle Webster (Penrite CRF Honda Racing) the round. Wilson and Todd filled the rostrum.

Moto three was a strong one for Dylan Wills (Davey Motorsports KTM) despite a recent knee injury, ahead of Riley Dukes (Husqvarna) with a fifth-place result.

Positions six through 10 featured Nathan Crawford (Serco Yamaha), Bailey Malkiewicz (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna), Kaleb Barham (Husqvarna), Jai Constantinou (Honda) and Morgan Fogarty (Davey Motorsports KTM).

Image: Foremost Media.

The second Motul MXD moto was captured by red plate-holder Regan Duffy (Raceline KTM Thor), however it was a runner-up finish for Maximus Purvis (WBR Yamaha) that earned him the overall today.

Duffy was at his best to lead the field by 5.044s ahead of Purvis, while in third position it was Rhys Budd (Penrite CRF Honda Racing) who completed the race podium in third, with Mason Semmens (Davey Motorsports KTM) fourth and Jack Kukas (WBR Yamaha) fifth. Overall it was Purvis from Duffy and Budd.

This weekend is also playing host to rounds one and two of the YMF MXW championship, in which Kawasaki’s Meghan Rutledge captured victory in both motos.

Image: Foremost Media.

Defending champion Rutledge was all class at the front of the field, while behind her Maddy Brown (Yamaha) went 3-2 and it was Jessica Moore (KTM) who rounded out the rostrum on Saturday.

Moore actually crossed the finish second behind Rutledge in moto two, but was penalised following an off-track excursion with Brown that resulted in her gaining a position while accelerating back onto the track together.

Round five of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals will take place at Murray Bridge on Sunday, 5 May, in the first double-header weekend of the season prior to the annual mid-season break.

Detailed results