Simmonds took his first heat race win of the season to open the night in Dunedin. Image: Sport The Library.

The heat races at Dunedin’s fifth round of the Monster Energy Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship, have been run and won this afternoon in New Zealand.

Practice and qualifying was cancelled this afternoon due to exceptionally muddy conditions, as was the Manufacturer’s Challenge that was scheduled for the afternoon.

Once the heat races got underway it was 18-year-old JDR Motorex KTM’s Tye Simmonds who won head one, winning by 2.985 seconds over Jay Marmont (CDR Rockstar Yamaha) and local star Michael Phillips (Team Honda Hamilton).

Heat two of the Open class saw series leader Josh Hansen steal the victory for Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki from the in-form Jake Moss (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) by over 30 seconds. Moss had lead all the way until a mistake cost him the win on lap eight of 10.

Rounding out the podium was Kiwi Kawasaki rider Mason Phillips.

Kawasaki Racing Team’s Cody Mackie won the opening Lites heat comfortably from defending champion Matt Moss (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) and Ford Dale (Serco Yamaha), before title leader PJ Larsen (JDR Motorex KTM) won the second heat.

Behind Larsen was Luke Arbon (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Kade Mosig (Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing). Ryan Marmont finished seventh.

The Eliminator Challenge was taken out by Kiwi favourite Cody Cooper (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) ahead of Simmonds, while Marmont defeated Michael Phillips for the final podium spot.

The Lites class main event will commence at 8.45pm local time (6.45pm AEST).