YAMAHA RACING:

After taking their second consecutive Australian Motocross Championship title earlier this year, Yamaha Racing is now focused on Super X – the Australasian Supercross Championship with the series kicking off at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium on Saturday October 17, 2009.

Leading Yamaha Racing’s assault on the title will be CDR Rockstar Yamaha’s Jay Marmont and Cheyne Boyd, the successful duo and their YZ450Fs finished second and third overall in 2008.

Serco Yamaha have imported American rider, Kyle Cunningham for the opening three rounds of the Pro Lites Championship while Mitch Hoad continues to recover from an arm injury. Cunningham will join Kirk Gibbs on a YZ250F.

The round will feature the Double Header race format, which will make its debut in the series at Tasmania. All the action from the first round of Super X will be broadcast live on Fox Sports from 7.30pm (AEST) on Saturday October 17, 2009.

Pro Open Report

As the only team to successfully take the fight to Chad Reed in 2008, CDR Rockstar Yamaha and riders, Jay Marmont and Cheyne Boyd will return to the series with more determination to beat the former World Champion at Tasmania this weekend.

Marmont, who was the only man to take a race victory from Reed in 2008, said he believes his preparation for this year’s series has been more comprehensive than last year.

“I definitely think I’m in a better position going into this year’s championship,” said Marmont who claimed his second consecutive Australian Motocross Championship earlier this year, “I feel like I am going into the season where I left off last year and I think we are in a position to take some race wins early in the season.”

“I basically started getting ready for Supercross the week after I wrapped up the motocross title. It took a bit of getting into it but the team came up and we had a great test. I’ve also adapted my training for Super X which involves a lot shorter but higher intensity races.”

Boyd, who was an unstoppable force at the end of the Australian Motocross Championship said that he has also enjoyed a better preparation period for this year’s championship.

“I’ve been into my Supercross training program for a good four to six weeks and I am feeling great,” Boyd said, “We’ve tested a lot between seasons and I’ve got to say my bike is the best it’s ever been.”

“Jay [Marmont] and I really stepped it up in motocross this year which does help our preparation for the Super X season. Now we all know what to expect I think the racing will be a lot closer between the whole field this year .”

Yamaha will also be represented in the Pro Open category by Robbie Marshall [Titan Garages Northstar Yamaha], Beau Ralston and Andrew McFarlane [MX Rad].

Pro Lite Report

With Mitch Hoad out of the opening three rounds of Super X due to an arm injury, Serco Yamaha will campaign American, Kyle Cunningham at this weekend’s opening round of the series at Aurora Stadium in Tasmania.

Cunningham, who finished second in the opening 250cc AMA Motocross race at Washougal in July will race alongside Serco Yamaha regular, Kirk Gibbs.

Cunningham said he jumped at the opportunity race in Australia with the timing of Super X perfect in terms of helping him to prepare for the 2010 AMA Supercross Championship.

“I heard that Serco Yamaha had a rider that got injured and through some connections in the US I started speaking with Gavin [Eales] and I decided to come out and get some races under my belt ahead of the AMA Supercross season,” Currningham said.

“It’s good for me to be out in Australia and getting some additional experience prior to the start of our AMA Supercross season. I’ve never been overseas before so it is a good opportunity for me to work while also travelling at the same time.”

After injury plagued him in the inaugural season of Super X last year, Kirk Gibbs believes he has a shot at the title after recording a number of encouraging results throughout the Motocross season.

“I had a good solid week off the bike after motocross and then I got straight into it once I got back and since then I’ve been training and on the bike five to six days per week,” Gibbs said.

“I’m on the new 2010 Yamaha for Super X that just keeps getting better and better during practice and I just can’t wait to race this weekend.”

Yamaha will also support a number of competitors in the Pro Lites field, including Brendon Harrison [Titan Garages Northstar Yamaha], Luke Davis [Yamaha Dealer Team], Josh Cachia and Ryan Marmont [MX Rad].