Kawasaki Racing Team:

KRT riders Craig Anderson and Luke George tackled the rough and rutted Murray Bridge Track successfully at the 5th round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championships, with both riders coming up trumps and finishing on the podium in SA on Sunday 14 June. Pro Open rider Craig Anderson went 4-6 on his KX450F to take out 3rd place while Pro Lites rider Luke George finished 2-4 on his KX250F to claim 2nd place for the round and increase his Championship points tally, where he currently sits in 2nd place. Luke Arbon raced to the podium in the second Under 19s moto taking 7-3 for the round, claiming more valuable Championships points and continuing his charge for the Title.

Craig Anderson’s round 5 campaign got off to a cracking start with the 12 time Australian Champion getting a great start and finding the lead after the first corner. Ando continued to charge throughout the 30 minute moto, negotiating the rough SA track brilliantly to finish the moto just off the podium in 4th place. Ando finished the second moto just outside the top 5, however his efforts were still enough to hand him 3rd place for the round and advance him to top 5 positioning in the Championship with 5th place overall.

Craig says, “I felt really good out there. I spent a week riding in WA in the sand and it helped me in SA. We also made some changes to the bike that suited me. It’s good to be back on the podium and I’m focused now on keeping it rolling and staying on my game.”

Defending Pro Lites Champion, Luke George, put in another solid performance to finish the round in 2nd place. Luke got a good start in the first moto rounding the first corner in 3rd place. He quickly moved into 2nd place within the first lap and rode determinedly, holding onto that position for the entire race. Unfortunately lapped riders prevented Luke from making any real charges for the lead.

Luke had his work cut out in the second moto after he collided with another rider who went down in front of him on the first turn. Luke came off his KX250F and remounted as quickly as he could to rejoin the field in 8th place. From there Luke rode hard and picked his way back through the pack to finish the race just off the podium in 4th place. Luke’s 2-4 finish handed the defending Champ 2nd place for the round and more valuable Championship points. Having already won the Series last year, Luke knows what it takes to come out on top and with the amazing speed that Luke is currently showing on his KX250F, the KRT rider is a genuine contender for the crown again in ’09.

Luke says, “I felt fast in the first moto and rode well but with such a rough track there were heaps of lapped riders and Moss got through them better than I did. Once he got through them and was able to get that lead, it’s tough to make up the time and unfortunately I had to settle for 2nd.  I struggled in the second moto after going over the bars on the first corner and once again got caught behind lapped riders. I would’ve liked more points this round but you can’t turn back the clock. I’m going to throw it all on the line and come out guns blazing at the next 3 rounds. I’m a huge fan of both Wanneroo and The Lakes. I grew up riding in the sand and The Lakes is my home track so I’m focusing on winning both of the rounds and if all goes to plan, winning my 2nd Championship!”

Under 19s rider Luke Arbon was unlucky not to come away with a better result for the round considering how fast and comfortable he looked on his KX250F at Murray Bridge. Luke Arbon is a real threat in the Under 19s Championship currently sitting in 4th place with only 5 points separating 2nd, 3rd and 4th places. In the first moto, Luke got tangled up in a first corner pile up putting him back to last place. From there, Luke rode brilliantly, smoothly guiding his KX250F through the pack to finish in a very respectable 7th place. Knowing he needed to get on the podium in the second moto to keep his Series hopes alive, Luke didn’t disappoint, coming away with 3rd place and 5th for the round. Luke sits in 4th place in the Championships with 203 points and with the 2nd placed rider only 5 points ahead, watch for Luke Arbon going all out at WA this weekend.

KRT manager Brett Whale says, “I’m pleased with Ando’s results and it’s great that he’s moved up to the top five in the Championship. We’re now looking forward to capitalising on those results and advancing even further.”

“It wasn’t one of George’s better days at the office. We gave away some valuable points on Moss which we can’t afford to do at this point in the Championship. Watch both him and Arbon throwing it all on the line at the upcoming rounds and talking of Arbon, he looked fantastic and was riding the best I’ve seen him ride all year. Things didn’t go his way and his results certainly don’t show how well he was riding.”

With only three rounds remaining and all three KRT riders within the top five in the Championship, watch for Craig Anderson, Luke George and Luke Arbon to come out firing at the 6th round of the Australian Motocross Championships at Wanneroo, WA on Sunday 21 May. Luke George and Luke Arbon will be riding for more Series points in their bid for the Championship Titles while Ando will be working towards a top three podium finish to the Series.