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SX2 heat race wins during the second round of the 2023 World Supercross Championship (WSX) were split by Australia’s Luke Clout and Wilson Todd on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, with the pair displaying front-running form at Yas Island during the afternoon.

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team’s Clout took the heat one honours in the 250 category, leading every lap in what was a convincing display to open the round within the tight confines of Etihad Arena.

After a top-five start in the opening SX2 final, Clout survived to chaos to cross the finish line in fourth place. The chaotic action grabbed the number four in SX2 final two after he was caught in an opening lap collision, and would claw his way from the rear of the field to finish 15th. A measured ride in final three saw the Australian secure P7 and complete the round with sixth place overall.

“Finished up here with World Supercross in Abu Dhabi, which was a very chaotic night,” said Clout. “A lot of positives to take from tonight, we had really good speed and won the heat race, then finished fourth in the first moto. An unfortunate pile-up in the second one cost me, although we came home strong in the final race and ended up with sixth overall for the event. It was up and down, but we’ll take it and move on to Melbourne.

Fire Power Froth Honda rider Todd, meanwhile, impressed in heat two as he held off teammate, championship leader and round winner Max Anstie to take the chequered flag first.

The CRF250R rider then notched a seventh-place result in final one and rebounded from a P17 finish in the second final to finish fourth in the last encounter, landing eighth overall for the weekend – his first appearance in WSX this year.

“It was an okay night,” recalled Todd. “The win in the heat race was the highlight, followed by a fourth in the last of the three finals. I made too many mistakes in the other two finals, which hurt my overall, but there are a lot of positives to take from the weekend.”

The focus of both Clout and Todd now shifts to the second round of the 2023 Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX), where the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy rider will step back on a YZ450F. Clout enters Newcastle this Saturday fifth in the SX1 standings, while Todd is currently third in the SX2 title race.