Luke Styke leads the MX2 charge for Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

The Motul MX2 category is shaping up to be an all-out war in the battle for supremacy when the Monster Energy MX Nationals resume at Hervey Bay in Queensland on Sunday.

With surprise series leader Luke Styke not yet putting a foot wrong in his first full season with the factory Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing squad, it’s up to the field to play catch up in the series’ second half.

Maintaining a 32-point margin in the standings, the Nowra-based New South Welshman has been a revelation in 2012, but understands that there is a long way to go if he is to clinch the national title. Recent time spent at Hervey Bay will benefit him for the race weekend.

“I rode some of the tracks, spent some time testing, fine tuning the bike, and I feel pretty fresh,” Styke said. “It’s nice to have done some laps on the tracks to get familiar with the dirt and layout of them, so I feel ready to go and look forward to the final five rounds.”

Behind Styke at this stage is Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale, the Sunshine Coast resident who has long been a favourite for this year’s MX2 title. Dale is accustomed to the conditions riders can expect to experience on race day, elevating him as a pre-race favourite.

Victorian-based DPH Motorsport Honda privateer Cheyne Boyd is a solid third in the series after claiming back to back podiums in Western and South Australia, now focused on claiming his maiden round win of the year upon return to the MX2 ranks.

The man who denied Boyd the overall victory in South Australia is Josh Cachia, who will enter Hervey Bay with confidence on his side after having five full weeks to relive his first career win for JDR/KTM Factory Racing.

Cachia’s currently fourth in the series, with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Kade Mosig completing the top five to date.

Stay tuned to MotoOnline.com.au for updates direct from the circuit throughout the weekend.