Image: Jeff Crow.

Serco Yamaha’s Luke Clout will build from his fourth place standing after Broadford’s opening Monster Energy MX Nationals event of 2014, a fine result in what was a mixed day for him upon return from injury.

Broadford was Clout’s official national return after sustaining a broken femur in his rookie campaign last year, able to lead the majority of lap one until a gearbox issue saw his YZ250F stuck in second gear.

He was able to finish second in the moto, before more trouble struck with a crash and 12th in moto two. The final moto came without incident, and he raced to third for position four overall.

“It wasn’t the perfect day, it just seemed like there was a battle from start to finish,” Clout commented. “We had transponder issues in qualifying, then the bike was stuck in gear in race one, I fell in race two and the only race that didn’t have drama’s was the last one.

“Still, we are well placed and it’s only round one. I’m healthy, our race bikes are awesome and we are heading to Appin for round two which is my home track. I put in a good round there, then we are right back in it.

“A huge thanks to the Serco Yamaha team today, both myself and Jay made them work but they got everything done.”

The round was also a difficult one for new teammate Jay Wilson on the defending champion team, credited a lowly 17th overall in a troublesome debut of 34-13-8 results.

“It wasn’t a good day for me at all,” Wilson said. “I was trying to pass some guys along that back straight [in race one], but I hit some kickers just before the tabletop and it sent me flying. The bike was a mess so I could finish the race and I was sore all over.

“While races two and three were a little better, they are still not what I’m capable of, or what I expect. I will get some rest in the next couple of days and do everything I can to make sure I’m as fit as I can be for round two at Appin and then try and redeem myself and show the Serco Yamaha team what I can do.”