Yamaha Racing PR:

After winning two out of the three classes at the fourth round of the Australian Motocross Championship at Mackay, Yamaha Racing’s squad of riders are ready to do battle in South Australia this weekend when the Murray Bridge Sporting Car and Motorcycle Club hosts round five of the dirt bike series.

Over the past two weeks, Yamaha’s riders have adapted their training schedule to allow for practice time in sandy conditions with the Murray Bridge track rewarding those who can excel on a softer surface.

This is a well known fact for Pro Lites rider, Kirk Gibbs who will be returning home this weekend to compete on the circuit where he cut his teeth as a junior.

Yamaha’s Pro Open chargers will look to add more wins to their 2009 tally, with the top three places held down by YZ450F riders.

Pro Open Report

After dominating the fourth round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship, CDR Rockstar Yamaha rider, Cheyne Boyd is hoping he can continue the form which delivered him his first victory of the year.

In his last appearance at Murray Bridge, Boyd was second overall with his team-mate, Jay Marmont beating him to the top step of the podium. Twelve months on, the YZ450F rider believes he has the form to take the round honours.

“It was good to get a win in Mackay,” Boyd said. “There was no major difference in my preparation for the event and overall I felt the same going into the round as I have for each of the other rounds this year – the main thing was that I was able to complete two clean races and maximize my lead right through to the finish.

“My preparation leading into this round has been pretty much the same deal as last round, I’ve stuck with the same training regime and I haven’t really changed too much.

“In the last few weeks I have been riding on a lot of sand tracks to prepare for the next two rounds of the championship. I prefer the softer tracks as they are similar to a lot of the tracks in the area I live in.”

Marmont currently leads the Pro Open Championship with a 21-point advantage over Andrew McFarlane with Boyd third on 201 points.

2009 Pro Open Championship Standings

1. Jay Marmont – 243 points
2. Andrew McFarlane – 222 points
3. Cheyne Boyd – 201 points
4. Codie Mackie – 194 points
5. Todd Waters – 167 points
6.  Craig Anderson – 148 points
7.  Cameron Taylor – 135 points
8.  Brent Landman – 127 points
9.  Michael Addison – 103 points
10.  Ford Dale – 82 points

Pro Lites Report

After riding on the Murray Bridge circuit since he was a kid, Serco Yamaha young gun, Kirk Gibbs hopes that this weekend’s fifth round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship will provide him with his first victory of the year.

Gibbs, who joined Serco Yamaha at the start of the season, said that he has a solid understanding of the track.

“I don’t really believe in home track advantages, however, I have been riding at Murray Bridge since I raced 50cc bikes and while the track has changed a lot over the few years I do have a fairly good knowledge of the track and the best lines to take,” Gibbs said.

“I’ve been home for the last two weeks and it has been good catching up with all my friends and family.

“A lot of my mates and family are going to be at Murray Bridge on the weekend and I am really looking forward to racing in front of them.”

The YZ250F rider is currently placed fifth in the Pro Lites class, just a single point off fourth place with his team-mate, Mitch Hoad  currently sixth with 121 points.

2009 Pro Lites Championship Standings

1.  Matt Moss – 190 points
2. Luke George – 180 points
3. Tye Simmonds – 173 points
4. Lawson Bopping – 145 points
5. Kirk Gibbs – 144 points
6. Mitch Hoad – 121 points
7. Adam Monea – 114 points
8. Lewis Stewart – 105 points
9. Lewis Woods – 99 points
10. Ryan Marmont – 90 points

Under 19s Report

GYTR Yamaha Junior Development Team rider, Harley Quinlan will be aiming to round off a hat-trick of victories at Murray Bridge this weekend with the young Queenslander finishing at the top of the points table for the last two rounds of the Under 19s Championship.

Quinlan is currently third in the championship with just 10 points separating him from teammate, Luke Styke who is leading the way.

“I’ve been doing a lot of sand riding since Mackay in order to prepare for the conditions at the Murray Bridge track,” Quinlan said.

“I am feeling confident about this weekend even though I have never been to Murray Bridge before however I am really looking forward to it – I really enjoy trying new tracks.”

After injuring his left shoulder at Mackay, Ross Beaton is back to full fitness and ready to do battle this weekend.

2009 Under 19s Championship Standings

1.  Luke Styke – 181 points
2. Josh Cachia – 172 points
3. Harley Quinlan – 171 points
4. Luke Arbon – 169 points
5. Dylan Peterson – 146 points
6. Ross Beaton – 143 points
7. Jason Reed – 114 points
8. Josh Kilvington  – 95 points
9. Kieran Tisdale – 91 points
10. Dylan Gosling – 80 points