A combined domination of man and machine has seen Ryan Marmont and the KTM 250 SX-F take out the Pro Lites Class in the 2006 Australian Motocross Championship, as the final round took to Coolum in Queensland on the weekend.

Riding with Motorex KTM Racing, Marmont won both of his final races to clean sweep the round with barely any competition. This is Marmont’s first Australian Motocross title as he finished runner up last year to Cameron Taylor of Serco Yamaha.

Marmont’s final points tally for the 2006 Australian Motocross Championship was 414. Taylor was unable to catch the new Champion, as he finished 47 points behind on 367 taking second, while Troy Dorron of No Fear Honda took third on 309 points.

Whilst being presented with a gold dipped helmet, Marmont spoke of his achievement, “I couldn’t be happier with the results. A combination of family support from my folks, a great bike, an awesome mechanic with Danny Apro, and team encouragement from Motorex KTM Racing we got there.

“It was a total team effort but I put in the hard yards. I was hungry for this Championship title after finishing runner up last year.

“I rode smart today with the Championship in mind, but I also wanted to show that I’m still out to win every race I enter. I chose a comfortable riding style but still put on the pace coming away with both moto wins.

“During practice I recorded the fastest lap time which added to my confidence going into the racing.

“Qualifying took place early Sunday morning and the track was like soup due to all the rain. I qualified within the top ten which gave me a good pick of the grid.

“In moto one I got the holeshot and pretty much rode away with no competition, it was a huge victory because I sealed the Championship with still one moto to go.

“In my second moto Jake Moss was first off the start and I was close behind him. Ten minutes into the race he made a mistake and crashed, which handed me the lead right up until the chequered flag. I had some competition from Cody Mackie but nothing that was going to test me for the lead.

“Moving forward, it’s going to be hard to put all this excitement behind me, but that’s what I’m going to have to do as we get straight into the remainder of the Supercross Championship this Saturday. I’ll be testing with Motorex KTM all week to turn our focus onto the more intense tracks that Supercross lays out.

“I missed the opening rounds of the Supercross season whilst returning from shoulder surgery, but with the points system set up there is still a chance I can finish within the top three for that Championship as well.”

Motorex KTM Race Team Manager, Rob Twyerould couldn’t be happier with Ryan Marmont’s achievement, “Out of ten events Ryan was on the podium at seven. He secured four 1st overall finishes, three 2nd overall finishes and two 4th overall finishes, throughout the Motocross Championship.

“The only time Ryan was out of the top five was when he got a puncture at Newcastle due to the rocky surface. It’s a great victory for Ryan and Motorex KTM Racing today, I’m very proud of the entire team as everyone pulled together to make this happen, said Twyerould.”

In the Pro Open Racing, Lee Ellis wrapped up his contract with Motorex KTM, concluding with a sixth place position in his second moto, being his best result for that round.

Ellis intends to keep racing next year as a privateer and made special thanks to all team members at Motorex KTM for their commitment and encouragement shown whilst he raced under their banner.

Fellow Pro Open team rider Daniel McCoy, finished fifth in his first moto, demonstrating one of his best races all season, yet unfortunate mechanical challenges in McCoy’s second moto didn’t allow him to finish the race.

McCoy will continue racing with Motorex KTM for the Supercross season and is hoping for a better run throughout the remainder of the year.

“Many factory teams had mechanical challenges in the Pro Open racing, but I’m still disappointed that I was one of them,” said McCoy.

“I just want to put the motocross season behind me now and give the industry and my fans the results I know I’m capable of. Hopefully, I can do this at the Supercross Championship,” he added.

Ryan Marmont and Daniel McCoy will undergo intensive Supercross testing this week with Motorex KTM Racing to prepare for battle on Saturday night (July 29) at Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Motorex KTM’s US race team member Timmy Weigand is unable to ride at the Supercross Masters this weekend, as he is still recovering from surgery on his hand, yet Weigand hopes to return for the final two rounds.