CDR Rockstar Yamaha's Jay Marmont is one step closer to the Pro Open title after winning in Moree.

CDR Rockstar Yamaha rider Jay Marmont is one step closer to taking out his third consecutive Australian Motocross Pro Opens Championship after winning the penultimate round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals at Moree NSW on Sunday.

Despite a mixed season so far, Marmont’s consistency earned him the red leader plate heading into the seventh round, and fans finally got to see some of Marmont’s moto magic, when he stormed through to take two race wins and the overall for the round.

“It’s great to finally get the overall win,” Marmont said. “I worked my butt off in the lead up to this round and the whole team got behind me.
“We changed a few settings on the bike and it’s come up really great.

“These guys were the fastest out there today and they really pushed me so hats off to them and I’m really looking forward to the final round at Coolum in a week’s time.

“It’s great to see Ryan [Jay’s younger brother] get the round win in the Pro Lites class – I couldn’t have him win it without me taking out the round too as he’d hang it on me all week!”

Other standouts for the class included Kiwi and Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki rider Cody Cooper and Honda mounted privateer Dean Ferris, each taking race wins however it wasn’t enough to match the Wollongong local’s speed on the day.

Cooper, who found form in the last round, made light work of the first moto, however he became unstuck by Ferris and Marmont – forced to battle with the pair leaving him with a 1-2-2-11 scorecard for the day.

“It was tough out there today,” Cooper said. “I’ve been sick all week and today I feel so much better than I have for a week, but in that last moto it was like sprinting for 15 minutes and I just wanted to throw up everywhere at the end!

“Credit to these guys though, they rode great and it’s been awesome coming out to Moree for the round. Thanks to everyone for coming out and watching and I hope you all liked it!”

Coming into the 2010 series without a factory ride, Ferris finally managed to harness his raw speed, keeping it on two wheels to produce a run of top three finishes, placing him second overall in the championship standings heading into the final round at Coolum QLD on 24-25 July.

“It’s awesome to be on the podium,” Ferris said. “It’s my first one for the year, and while being able to do it as a privateer is pretty sweet, I’d still take it any time! “Everyone has been such a great support to me this season and I really can’t thank them enough.”

Meanwhile things didn’t go to plan for Cool Air Kawasaki Racing Team’s Scottish import Billy Mackenzie, who while looking to close the points gap qualified fastest ahead of Ferris and Cooper, however he was unable capitalise on this – his best result for the day a fourth in the last moto.

Also hoping for a better round was Bourke local and Moree Motorcycle Club life member Tye Simmonds.

The JDR Motorex KTM rider sustained an injury earlier in the week and as a result struggled to make the most of his home-track advantage, a second place in the final race his best result for the round.

Only 54 points separate the top five riders and with 150 points up for grabs at the final round fans will be in for a massive weekend of racing.

Ryan Marmont debuted KTM's 2011 model 250 SX-F with a victory at Moree.

JDR Motorex KTM rider Ryan Marmont has won the Pro Lites class at the penultimate round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals at Moree, NSW, with GYTR Rockstar Yamaha rider Ross Beaton taking out the Under 19’s class.

The Pro Lites class certainly threw out a few surprises with a total of nine riders finishing in the top three throughout the four races run.

Consistency paid off for Marmont, who, with a score card of 3-2-7-5, managed to take the round win and step into second place in the championship standings.

“It’s great to get a win,” Marmont said. “It’s been a long time in between wins and this feels amazing. We only just got the 2011 bikes and the whole team has worked so hard to get them ready for us. I’m really pumped to be back on the podium and on the new bike.”

Marmont’s teammate and US rider PJ Larsen, still retains his Series lead despite seeming to struggle at Moree, uncharacteristically crashing a number of times and unable to dominate as he has in previous races.

Fans got to see some of Larsen’s form when he won the second race, however, the championship leader was overshadowed by epic battles from the likes of Serco Yamaha rider and South Australian Kirk Gibbs, his teammate and Queensland local Ford Dale, Cool Air Kawasaki Racing Team’s Cody Mackie, and Marmont.

UK rider Jason Dugan (KTM) looked to be a force to be reckoned with however a DNF in the final moto saw his efforts go unrewarded while KTM’s newest recruit Brendan Harrison reminded everyone of what he was capable of showcasing some serious speed in the early motos.

Larsen now sits a comfortable 84 points ahead of second placed Marmont, with Gibbs a mere four points behind the former champ heading into the final massive double-header round at Coolum.

In the Under 19’s class the day belonged to GYTR Rockstar Yamaha rider Ross Beaton, while JDR Motorex KTM’s Josh Cachia has retained his series lead, albeit by only 11 points.

“The other guys rode really well today,” Beaton said. “I haven’t been feeling real well, but it’s just one of those days you need to get over and look ahead to the next one.

“I’m building consistency now, and I’ve been on the top step of the podium for two weeks in a row, so I’m really looking forward to the final round.

“I can’t thank the team and my family enough for all their support – we’ve all been working really hard as a team and it’s finally paying off.”

It wasn’t a great day in the office for Cachia with the Kilmore local running into strife several times on the track in a culmination of crashes and poor starts.

Beaton survived the dynamic MX Sprint format to finish the day with a 2-1-3-3 score card, gaining valuable points and reigning in the series leader.

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Images: Kajx Communications