Josh Hansen wins his first Super X event in Auckland
America’s Josh Hansen has won the fourth round of the Monster Energy Super X championship at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, winning three of four races in the Quad Challenge final.
The event had its fair share of thrills and spills with the great track providing a fast and technical start and many line options. Monster Energy / Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Hansen, who went into the round leading the championship after three runner up finishes, was dominant all night with the fastest qualifying and three holeshots in the final. CDR Rockstar Yamaha’s Jay Marmont was the only rider able to grab a race off him in the final moto.
Hansen was first overall with three wins and one third, Marmont was second with two third places, one second and one first, and Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s Jake Moss claimed third overall with three second places and one third.
Hansen extended his championship lead to put him 32 points ahead of Marmont and Jake Moss moves into third overall.
Josh Hansen (USA)
“I am super stoked to get the win. I would have loved to win all four, but I guess I can’t be greedy. I am so happy Monster Energy was able to bring me out here for Super X because I am loving this place, the series and the people.”
Jay Marmont (AUS)
“It’s a relief to finally get a win and I enjoyed racing tonight. I finally got the start I wanted to in the final race and it paid off.”
Jake Moss (AUS)
“It feels good to be on the podium and I am really happy with the way I rode tonight. I really want to thank my team and family for all the support they have given me.”
New Zealand supercross star Ben Townley had a very unlucky fall in his heat race and was forced to withdraw from the event with a suspected hip injury.
The Lites final once again kept the fans on the edge of their seat with America’s PJ Larsen the eventual overall winner in the Triple Challenge. He rode himself in to two first places and one third. His team mate for JDR Motorex KTM, Ryan Marmont, finished second overall with one second and two fourths and Luke Styke third overall with one third and two, sixth places.
Matt Moss had a collision with Kawasaki Racing Team Cool Air Conditioning’s Luke Arbon in the second moto and was unable to start his bike until the final lap to finish. He finished fourth overall.
Larsen now moves into first place in the championship, nine points ahead of Moss. Marmont sits in third.
The series now heads south to Dunedin for the fifth round at Carisbrook stadium on Saturday November 20.
All riders spared a thought for young rider Harley Quinlan, who had a severe crash during training during the week, with all of them wishing him and his family well.
For more information on the Monster Energy Super X please visit www.superx.com.au
OPEN top ten results – Round 4
1. Josh HANSEN – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki: 25,25,25,20 TOTAL: 95
2. Jay MARMONT – CDR Rockstar Yamaha: 20, 22, 20, 25 TOTAL: 87
3. Jake MOSS – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 22,20,22,22 TOTAL 86
4. Tye SIMMONDS – JDR Motorex KTM: 18,18,16,15 TOTAL 67
5. Daniel McCOY – Coastal KTM Motorex Team: 13,15,12,16 TOTAL 56
6. Cody COOPER – Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 15,16,8,13 TOTAL 52
7. Todd WATERS – Cougar Bourbon Thor Honda: 11,14,7,18 TOTAL 50
8. Mike ALESSI – JDR Motorex KTM: 16,12,15,5 TOTAL 48
9. Daniel REARDON – Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing: 14,6,18,8 TOTAL 46
10. Mason PHILLIPS – Fly Team Green Kawasaki: 10,13,14,7 TOTAL 44
OPEN Championship – Top ten championship standings
1. Josh HANSEN – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki: 225
2. Jay MARMONT – CDR Rockstar Yamaha: 193
3. Jake MOSS – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 152
4. Tye SIMMONDS – JDR Motorex KTM: 149
5. Daniel REARDON – Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing: 138
6. Todd WATERS – Cougar Bourbon Thor Honda: 128
7. Daniel McCOY – Coastal KTM Motorex Team:127
8. Justin BRAYTON – Muscle Milk / Toyota JGRMX: 121
9. Lewis WOODS – Top Gear KTM: 66
10. Mike ALESSI – JDR Motorex KTM: 107
LITES top ten results – Round 4
1. P J LARSEN – JDR Motorex KTM: 25,20,25 TOTAL 70
2. Ryan MARMONT – JDR Motorex KTM: 18,22,18 TOTAL 58
3. Luke STYKE – GTYR Rockstar Yamaha: 15,15,20 TOTAL 50
4. Matt MOSS – Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 22,0,22 TOTAL 44
5. Ford DALE – Serco Yamaha: 16,25,0 TOTAL 41
6. Cody MACKIE – Kawasaki Racing Team Cool Air Conditioning: 9,14,15 TOTAL 38
7. Nicholas SUTHERLAND – 12,10,12 TOTAL 34
8. Steven CLARKE – Raceline Pirelli Suzuki:20,7,5 TOTAL 32
9. Robbie MARSHALL – Yamaha: 3,12,14 TOTAL 29
10. Josh CACHIA – Coastal KTM MX Rad: 13,16,0 TOTAL:29
LITES – Top ten championship standings
1. P J LARSEN – JDR Motorex KTM: 210
2. Matt MOSS – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 201
3. Ryan MARMONT – JDR Motorex KTM: 176
4. Cody MACKIE – Kawasaki Racing Team Cool Air Conditioning:136
5. Lawson BOPPING – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 130
6. Steven CLARKE – Raceline Pirelli Suzuki: 111
7. Josh CACHIA – Coastal KTM MX Rad: 110
8. Ford DALE – Serco Yamaha: 105
9. Luke STYKE – GTYR Rockstar Yamaha:103
10. Robbie MARSHALL – Yamaha: 102
Michelin Development Series – Top ten championship standings
1. Dylan LONG – KTM / Thor / Motorex / Michelin / One Industries: 75
2. Jake EMANUELLI – Doyle & Shields Yamaha Bairnsdale / Fox: 58
3. Jacob WRIGHT – Honda Jnr Development Team: 57
4. Luke CLOUT – SS Racing / MX Rad / Pirelli / Fox / Link / Rockstar: 47
5. Kurt WATERMAN – Spot On Racing / Bell / Troy Lee Designs / Dragon: 44
6. Jarrad DAVIS – Davis Bikeworx / Motul / Fox / Alpinestar / Dunlop: 39
7. Lenny MAGYAR – Canberra Motorcycle Centre: 34
8. Meghan RUTLEDGE – Moss Institute / Southern Highlands M-c: 34
9. James BOOTH-ELLIOTT – Loose Kid Industries / Ringmaster Images: 32
10. Lincoln NICOL – Prorider Motorcycles / Factory Spec MCD / Comac: 30
— Cougar Bourbon Honda Report
Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing endured another tough night at the office at the Auckland Super X, with all three riders falling short of the results they sought to kick-start their championship campaigns.
Daniel Reardon delivered a promising initial qualifying performance, setting the fifth fastest time on his CRF450R ahead of teammate Todd Waters who was 10th.
In his Open heat he finished third over the 10-lap distance, with Waters in 7th.
Reardon made progress as the format switch to the 2-lap, 2-rider dash, beating Tye Simmonds first up and moving to the semi-final.
He was unable to match the pace of Jake Moss however and ended in a battle with Jay Marmont in the consolation final to finish fourth.
Reardon went 7-15-4-13 across the 6-lap quad challenge, and was left to rue the missed opportunity to make back ground in the championship.
“I came here needing to have a good round to make sure I was still in the championship hunt, but it’s not worked out how I planned,” said Reardon.
“I had pace early but got caught out in two of the quad challenge races and ran out of time to get back into the top ten which is disappointing.”
Todd Waters went 10-7-14-4 for a marginally better result than his elder teammate but was also frustrated that his Auckland aims could not be achieved.
He was 7th overall for the round, two places ahead of Reardon who finished 9th.
Lites pilot, Kade Mosig’s night turned sour in the triple challenge final despite a solid run of results during the initial practice and qualifying sessions.
He managed to score points in every race but was forced to fight back from two opening lap crashes which hindered his progress.
“I started well today, rode awesome in practice and just took a much more relaxed approach to riding which worked really well,” explained Mosig.
“In my second heat I was comfortable and myself and Matt Moss basically checked out from the field so I was really looking forward to a strong result.
“In the finals I had good starts well within the top ten but got collected by other riders, twice in the same corner and lost the front end.
“Considering how it started it’s been a disappointing night. I know I’ve got the speed, I just need to iron out a few things so I can get some solid race results under my belt.”
Mosig is currently placed 12th in the Lites class aboard his CRF250R.
— JDR Motorex KTM Report
JDR Motorex KTM’s PJ Larsen has reclaimed the Lites class series lead in the 2010 Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship, capturing his second overall victory of the season in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday night.
Larsen won the opening final of the Triple Challenge main event by an impressive 4.169 seconds and then finished third in final number two, before his race three victory by 3.940 seconds gave him a superb round win overall.
The round victory means Larsen now leads the series by nine points over arch-rival Matt Moss with three rounds remaining, the 20-year-old American stoked with his debut performance across the Tasman in NZ.
“It was a good night tonight and I’m really happy with the way it turned out,” Larsen, originally from South Carolina, commented. “To win two of the three finals was awesome and I’m really happy to take over the points lead – I’m pumped to keep improving on areas of my riding.”
Teammate Ryan Marmont made it an incredible 1-2 finish for the JDR Motorex KTM team in the Lites, slotting into second overall after positing 4-2-4 results in the three main events to make it a pair of 2011 model KTM 250SX-Fs atop the podium.
Marmont’s result maintains third in the series, sitting 34 points behind leader Larsen, and he’s confident that he can post his first victory of the season in the coming rounds in a bid to stay in the hunt for the title.
“I had a great night and the track was really technical,” Wollongong resident Marmont said. “We just had to do the simple things right tonight – get good starts and stay consistent – and I was able to do that to take second place. There are still a lot of points up for grabs, so we’ll chip away and keep working week in, week out.”
In the Open class, 18-year-old Tye Simmonds sealed a strong fourth place overall, marking the JDR team’s best ever Open class main event result aboard the revolutionary 2011 model KTM 350SX-F.
Simmonds finished with 4-4-5-6 results in the Quad Challenge that consisted of four six-lap finals for the main event, a consistent night that boosted him up to fourth in the series point standings – just three points out of the top three.
“The first and second finals were good and I was able to get good starts in those,” Simmonds said. “In the third one I was sitting strong in third or fourth and then made a mistake that dropped me back to fifth, and then in the last one I had a really bad start. I’m happy with the fourth overall, but I’m still determined to keep improving and get on that podium.”
Californian Mike Alessi raced through the pain of a rib injury sustained early in the round, completing the event with 5-9-6-16 results to move into the top 10 overall in the championship chase.
Team manager Jay Rynenberg was proud of the team’s performance, marking a night of firsts in the team’s most successful Super X event yet.
“The Lites class results were excellent tonight and the boys rode really well,” Rynenberg explained. “PJ rode his own race and I think he proved that he’s the top guy in the championship, while Ryan rode really consistently as well. We’re walking out of here with the championship lead for PJ and Ryan is a strong third, so it’s great.
“Fourth overall in the Open class for Tye is possibly the best result ever for the new 350 in Supercross and it’s a best result for JDR – our previous best was with Andrew McFarlane in 2008 when he took a fifth. Tye’s really progressing and is getting to where he should be at, so hopefully we’ll have a podium in Dunedin. Mike crashed in practice and cracked one of his ribs, so he was strapped up and finding it difficult to breath. But it was a performance with a lot of heart and one to be proud of.”
The series will now remain in New Zealand next weekend when the series moves to the South Island in Dunedin for round five of the seven-round 2010 championship.
For further information on the JDR Motorex KTM team, check out JDR Motorsports’ all-new website at www.jdrmotorsports.com.au, or visit KTM Australia at www.ktm.com.au to see the entire 2011 model range.
— — CDR Rockstar Yamaha
CDR Rockstar Yamaha’s Jay Marmont handed in his best performance of the 2010 Super X season with a second place overall at round four of the Monster Energy Super X in Auckland.
Marmont’s racing had been on the improve at each round and again his starts, intensity and results took a step forward in New Zealand taking a well earned second place on the night highlighted by a final moto win.
The Pro Open riders faced the ultra tough Quad Challenge format where riders faced four back to back, seven lap motos with only a five minute break in between. The format is a real test of rider fitness, team organization and mental strength with Marmont and his CDR Rockstar Team showing they have plenty of all three.
Marmont finished the night with 3-2-3-1 moto positions in what was a fast and consistent night of racing for the Wollongong based rider. He continually shot his Yamaha YZ450F to the front of the pack and showed real spirit throughout the night.
“I am glad to finally get the run of fourths out of the way and get on the podium. I had been working hard on getting my starts better during the week and it really paid off tonight,” Marmont offers.
“The format is hard and you have to remain focused out there as one bad start can easily ruin your night. But tonight was the best I have felt so far in Super X and hopefully things will continue to improve from here,” he finishes.
The second overall consolidates Marmont’s position in second place for the series standings in the Pro Open division behind series leader, Josh Hansen from the USA.
Marmont also showed his personal qualities by donating his Australian Motocross of Nations, green and gold Fox gear to Harley Quinlan to assist in his fund raising since his spinal injury.
“I was affected by some things last year and the entire motocross community got behind me and my family. So, I am happy to help anyway I can and hope we can get some good money for the gear to help Harley and his family get everything they need for his future,” Marmont said.
It was a night of ‘what could have been’ for CDR Rockstar Yamaha guest rider from the US, Jeff Alessi. Alessi showed awesome speed and looked right at home on the CDR YZ450F in the early practice sessions and heat races, but it all came undone in the Quad Challenge when he was involved in two heavy falls that saw him and his bike battered and bruised.
But despite the Alessi crashes, CDR Rockstar Yamaha team owner was happy with the night his team provided.
“It looks like Jay has really turned the corner. He was on his game tonight and now we are at the mid way point he generally comes home with a wet sail so I look forward to him really piling on the pressure in the final three rounds.
“As for Jeff, he showed a bit tonight and had things gone his way, he had the speed to be up on the podium. He is here for the last three rounds, so he has plenty of time to show everyone what he has and get some great results,” Dack said.
The CDR Rockstar Yamaha Team now head south to Dunedin for round four of the Monster Energy Super X championship and will again look to build on the momentum gained at the Auckland round.
— Jay Marmont Report
Triple Australian Motocross Champion Jay Marmont has claimed a brilliant breakthrough race victory at the Auckland round of the 2010 Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship, in New Zealand on Saturday night.
CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha pilot Marmont won the fourth and final race of the Quad Challenge across the Tasman last night, his 3-2-3-1 tally placing him second overall for the round and boosting him to second in the series.
“I’m relieved to finally get on the podium and get that breakthrough win for the 2010 season,” the 27-year-old from Wollongong in NSW said. “I’ve been riding fairly tight this year, so to finally go out there and run up front gives me a lot more confidence heading into the remaining rounds.”
Marmont now sits 32 points behind series leader, American Josh Hansen, but is confident that he can build from the momentum gained in New Zealand on his 2011 model Yamaha YZ450F.
“I know that I can win races now, my lap times were there all weekend and so was my race craft,” he continued. “Unfortunately Hansen gained points on me again in the championship, but I’ll go out to have some fun without the pressure of the championship and try to get some more wins.”
The series will now remain in New Zealand next weekend when the series moves to the South Island in Dunedin for round five of the seven-round 2010 championship.
— GYTR Rockstar Yamaha Podium In An Emotional Night In Auckland
GYTR Rockstar Yamaha’s Luke Styke road a roller coast of emotion on his way to a stunning third place overall in the Pro Lites division at round four of the Monster Energy Super X at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, NZ.
Deeply affected by the serious injuries to his fallen team mate, Harley Quinlan, Luke vowed to put in his best performance of the season in Harley’s honour.
But the night didn’t start off well for Styke has he fell twice in his heat race and was the last man to qualify for the 22 rider, triple challenge main event.
After some soul search behind the start line, Styke pulled himself together and raced with the passion and focus that would have done his teammate proud. In the three, six leg back to back races, Styke finished with 6-6-3 placings to land in third overall for the night.
“As a team we wanted to do something special for Harley and I am so proud we were able to do it tonight. This is my first podium in Super X and I want to dedicate it to Harley. It was an odd feeling being at the races without him,” Styke says holding back the tears.
“In the last moto, every lap I came around, Cory had ‘For HQ20′ on the pitboard and I was so determined to finish the job right.”
“I was able to get my starts going tonight and felt that was the way I should race.”
“A big thank you needs to go out to everyone on the GYTR Rockstar Yamaha Team, Galvin Construction as well as Cory and Thomo for all the work they do. It’s been a tough week for everyone and I am glad we were able to finish it on a positive note,” Styke signs off.
The podium result at Auckland now drags Styke back into the top 10 in ninth place despite missing the Tasmanian round due to injury.
The Super X tour now heads to the South Island of New Zealand where next weeks’ round will take place at Dunedin.
— Monster Energy/ Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki Report
2011 Monster Energy SuperX Championship leader Josh Hansen has won the 4th round of the series in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday 13 November. The Monster Energy/ Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki rider put on a commanding display of racing, winning 3 from 4 races to take the round and extend his series lead to 32 points.
In a round with 100 points up for grabs over 4 races, the pressure was on at Auckland with absolutely no room for error. A true professional with plenty of world class racing under his belt, the cool, calm and collected Josh Hansen stepped up to the challenge and came out on top. The California based AMA racer rode exceptionally well to win the round in front of 10,000 fans.
In the 4 race survival format held at Auckland, Hansen went 1-1-1-3 to take the win with nothing more than a tough start in the final 6 lap race preventing him from a perfect night of racing. Hansen was so impressive at Auckland, he was the only rider consistently flawless throughout the challenging rhythm section of the track.
A happy Josh Hansen says, “I’m stoked. It’s good to win. My starts and everything were on tonight. It was a bit scary because all four races counted for points so it was a bit of a nail biter.”
“For sure everything is going to plan. I achieved what I wanted to in Auckland. There are still 3 more rounds so I’ve got to keep on my game. I don’t think of the Championship, I just go out and try and win each race and hopefully it’ll all come together in the end.”
Hansen now returns to his Australian base on the Gold Coast, QLD before heading back to New Zealand for the 5th round of the Monster Energy Super X Championship in Dunedin this Saturday 20 November.
— Serco Yamaha Report
Ford Dale won a moto and was on the gas at the Auckland round of Super X
Serco Yamaha’s Ford Dale bounced back into form at round four of the Monster Energy Super X championship with a fifth placing in the Pro Lites division over the weekend.
Dale put an emotional week behind him to start things off on a positive note posting the fastest qualifying time in the afternoon sessions and a comfortable second place in his heat race to be well placed as the Pro Lites class faced the triple challenge on the North Harbour Stadium track.
Dale continued his momentum into the opening two finals, taking a fifth in moto win and then an emphatic wire to wire win in race two. But a flat rear tyre in the final moto caused by a construction screw on the track ruined his chances of a podium position on the night.
It was a bitter ending for the likable Queenslander who raced and performed as well as any racer on the night. Still, his fifth pace was his best result of the series so far and the moto win was a real confidence builder as the series heads into the final three rounds.
The fifth place finish now moves Ford into eighth place in the Pro Lites points chase and he appears to be hitting form at the tail end of the series and expects a big finish to 2010.
“I rode pretty well and was in a good position going into the last moto but the flat tyre really cost me. It was strange because the rear of the bike felt fine in some sections of the track, but in others I had no control and crashed twice,” explains Dale.
“But, I proved to myself that I belong up the front and I can win races. Next week in Dunedin I’m going to combine my speed with consistency every moto and ensure I get on the podium. My team and I work too hard not to be up there,” he finishes determinedly.
The Serco Yamaha team returns to Australia for a few days before heading back to Dunedin in New Zealand to contest round five of the championship.
— Rockstar Makita Suzuki Open Report
Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki charger Jake Moss has roared back into contention for the Australasian Supercross Championship Pro Open crown after scoring his best points haul for the season.
Moss had his fuel-injected RM-Z450 dialled in from the start, as he hauled around the tight, 450 metre track constructed at North Harbor Stadium in Auckland.
Moss was unstoppable in the heats and his searing pace – particularly through the testing rhythm section – meant he was never headed in the eliminator format series, overcoming AMA regulars Hansen, Alessi and Reardon.
He maintained that form in the gruelling quad format challenge – consisting of four six-lap races back to back.
Consistently quick off the line, Moss was back to his brilliant best with a 2-3-2-2 to secure a well-deserved 86 points and his first podium finish of the season.
That has lifted him to third position overall and clearly back in contention for the Pro Open title.
Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s Cody Cooper, guest riding for the two New Zealand rounds, put in a strong performance in front of his home crowd finishing sixth overall.
In the Pro Lites, defending champion Matt Moss, started the day in strong form, qualifying second fastest.
He started the first leg of the triple challenge final well, riding a controlled race to maintain second position throughout behind arch rival PJ Larsen.
Team-mate Lawson Bopping – coming off his first round win in his most recent outing – was unfortunately involved in a spectacular crash on the opening lap that forced him to the back of the field.
Race two went horribly wrong for Moss when he came in contact with Luke Arbon and the resulting damage to his bike made it impossible for him to salvage any points.
The third and final race looked to be an uphill battle for Moss, contending with a poor gate pick and unfamiliar set-up on a spare Suzuki RM-Z250. Undeterred, he proved why he is the dual and defending Pro Lites Supercross Champion by claiming a meritorious second place under challenging circumstances.
Moss’s second place finish in the third final gave him 44 points for the round and meant he finished the weekend in second position overall. Despite surrendering the title lead to Larsen, he is just nine points adrift even with his worst result of the season.
Bopping came back from his big crash in race one to secure 25 points and hang on to fifth position in the championship with Team Raceline Pirelli Suzuki rider Steven Clarke in sixth.
Jay Foreman, Rockstar Motul Suzuki Team Manager said “Jake showed tonight that he can put the RM-Z450 on the box. He rode superbly and he is pumped for the final three rounds. In the Pro Lites the pressure is now on PJ. Matt can work on pulling those points back, so he knows what to do for these final three rounds.”
The Super X carnival moves to the southern island next week at Dunedin’s Carisbrook Stadium – known as the House of Pain to rugby fans the world over.