Defending champion Jay Marmont will have to claw his way back into title contention this weekend at Appin.

Wollongong’s defending triple Australian Motocross Champion Jay Marmont will race with the backing of a hometown crowd on Sunday when the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals visits Appin in NSW for round two on 3 April.

The Appin complex marks Sydney’s return to the MX Nationals calendar for the first time since 2003, and much of the focus will be on whether or not CDR Rockstar Energy Drink Yamaha’s Marmont can rebound from a disastrous opening round contested in Victoria at the beginning of the month.

Marmont finished an uncharacteristic ninth at Broadford in treacherous muddy conditions, however he’s confident that he can claw his way back into title contention with a win at Appin’s brand new ‘Bellbird Circuit’, located within an hour of his hometown.

“I had one of the worst races I’ve had in four or five years [at round one]. It was a day where everything went wrong,” 27-year-old Marmont reflected. “After putting so much effort into round one during the off-season and to rock up and have everything go wrong was a huge blow for me.

“That rider that everybody saw at round one won’t be at Appin – I’ll be a new rider. Hopefully I go and prove the haters wrong who have already written me off, hopefully I’ll show them where I’m meant to be.”

Scotsman Billy Mackenzie (Monster Energy Kawasaki) leads the series after winning the season opener, his consistency enough to edge out Suzuki pairing, new Kiwi champion Cody Cooper (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) and 21-year-old Braidwood-based rookie Lawson Bopping (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki).

Fourth in the title chase heading to Appin is revitalised Victorian Cheyne Boyd (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing), while Marmont’s younger brother Ryan Marmont (JDR Motorex KTM), 26, rounds out the top five following an impressive premier class debut.

Sixth in the series entering round two is current national number three Dean Ferris (Monster Energy Kawasaki), seventh is former world number two Josh Coppins (CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha) and eighth is KTM privateer Louis Calvin.

Behind ninth-placed Jay Marmont and rounding out the top 10 in the talent-filled field is New Zealander Michael Phillips, who was a last minute signing for the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing squad.

It was announced yesterday that the Pro Open category’s format has been revised for proceeding rounds, now consisting of two back-to-back 10-lap races (approximately 20 minutes in length) scheduled twice during race day – amounting in four motos to be contested per round.

Also scheduled for race day at Appin this weekend is the Motul Pro Lites class, which is currently headed by JDR Motorex KTM’s 2009 champion Matt Moss, plus the Pirelli Under 19s that is lead by South Australian Luke Arbon (GYTR Rockstar Energy Yamaha).

Round two of the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals will be contested at Appin in New South Wales on Sunday, 3 April. Practice and qualifying will commence at 8:30am with the official opening ceremonies taking place at approximately 10:30am.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au on the web for complete series and round information on the 2011 season.

Spectator Entry Information:
Adults – $30
Children (5-15yrs) – $15
Children (Under 5yrs) – Free
Family (2 adults, 2 children) – $70