Daryl Hurley (RM-Z450K6) remains the man to be beaten in the Nokia MX Nationals with the Team Shift Motul Suzuki rider recording his second victory for the year at the third round of the series at Victoria’s Wonthaggi MX Circuit today.

Hurley continues to lead the Nokia MX Nationals with 137 points and is a healthy twenty-six points ahead of his nearest rival, No Fear Honda’s Craig Anderson (CRF 450) who claimed second overall today. Cody Cooper (CRF 450) is currently third in the championship after finishing in third position for the round.

While Hurley was the one to come home at the top of the score sheets, at the start of the day it looked like Cooper was going to be the man to beat, with the New Zealander setting the pace early and taking victory in the first moto ahead of his No Fear Honda team-mate, Anderson. Hurley completed the top three for the race.

In the second moto, a determined Anderson lead the race early, however, Hurley was too strong and won the race ahead of Anderson and Kawasaki Racing’s Shayne King (KX450F). Cooper finished inside the top five behind CDR/Nokia/Yamaha rider Darryll King (YZ450F) and was able to seal third overall.

Hot of his final moto victory at the second round of the Nokia MX Nationals at Gillman, Kawasaki Racing’s Mitch Hoad (KX250F) showed he is also a contender in the Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites Championship and took victory in both motos at the wet Wonthaggi circuit.

Current leader of the Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites Championship, Ryan Marmont (KTM250SXF) had another consistent day of racing with the Motorex KTM rider claiming second for the round after finishing second and third in today’s two motos.

Troy Dorron (CRF 250R) ensured it was a successful round for No Fear Honda and made an appearance on the podium alongside his Pro Open team-mates. A third and fourth in today’s two motos ensured Dorron finished inside the top three when the score sheets had been added up for the round. Dorron is currently second on the championship ladder only twelve points behind Marmont.

It was local competitor, Cameron Taylor (YZ250F) who attempted to stop Hoad in the final moto but the Serco Yamaha rider was left to settle for second when the chequered flag fell. Taylor is now third in the championship point score and continues to accumulate championship points for his defence of the title he won last year.

The third round of the Nokia MX Nationals was also the Southern heat of the Craig Dack Rookies, which has been specifically designed to nurture and develop the future stars of Australian motocross. Riders who finished in the top twenty today have been invited to contest the final for the series at Newcastle on the 15 – 16 July. In June, a heat will be conducted in Toowoomba for Northern based competitors.

The Craig Dack Rookies Southern heat was won by Joel Passlow, with Keiran Hall and Matt Ryan rounding out the top three for the event.

According to Nokia MX Nationals Series Promoter, Kevin Williams the third round of the series generated a lot of racing action on the revamped Wonthaggi track.

“While today’s racing was conducted in wet conditions, overall it was a successful day with competitors and spectators alike enjoying the improved Wonthaggi circuit,” Williams stated.

“The third round of the Nokia MX Nationals marked the return of the series to the eastern seaboard and we look forward to continuing to challenge the riders with a range of circuits and surfaces over the coming months.”

Next weekend marks the first Queensland round of the Nokia MX Nationals which will occur at Conondale on the Sunshine Coast.

Daryl Hurley – Winner Round Three Nokia MX Nationals Pro Open
“I didn’t expect to have a twenty-five point lead at this stage of the championship, however, it is still very early in the series and I can’t afford to relax yet. As proved last year, one mechanical problem can set you right back and you never know what is around the corner.”

“Rather than flying home to New Zealand, this week I will stay in Newcastle with the team and help them to keep improving the bike. I’m really looking forward to Conondale next weekend, as I like the track and there is always a good crowd there.”

Craig Anderson – Runner Up Round Three Nokia MX Nationals Pro Open
“I’m definitely not happy with getting two seconds from two races. I wanted to win today, so we will just have to go back to the drawing board and start working on getting the win next weekend.”

“I’m working just as hard as I ever have. Today by leading the race I had a sniff of victory, but unfortunately Daryl [Hurley] got me in the end, however we’re won before and I know we can do it again.”

Cody Cooper – Third Round Three Nokia MX Nationals Pro Open
“Today started out good, with me and Ando [Craig Anderson] finishing one and two. I got a good start to the first race and the bike handled really well.”

“I now have a lot more confidence when it comes to racing – I know I can win if I put my head down and work hard. I also feel confident with my speed, fitness level and starts.”

Mitch Hoad – Winner Round Three Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites
“I got two clean starts today and put in the hard work early and then it was just a matter of monitoring the gap and doing what I had to do to get the win.”

“Before today, I wasn’t thinking about the championship, but now I’m in fourth position overall and not that far away from first. However, it won’t change my riding, I won’t ride conservatively to save points – I don’t know how to do it.”

Ryan Marmont – Runner Up Round Three Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites
“The track today was demanding and you had to try and find good lines, which was hard to do. We had a good day and managed to be on the podium for both motos for first time in three years.”

“Winning a moto this year is definitely something I would like to achieve – it is more points and the psychological advantage which it provides would be fantastic.”

Troy Dorron – Third Round Three Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites
“I am reasonably happy with today. It is always good to get a solid points haul, however, we’re still looking for that moto win. However, we will go home and look at my speed and hopefully come back and achieve this next weekend at Conondale.”

“I’m looking forward to going to Conondale next weekend, where hopefully we can take out the win.”


2006 Nokia MX Nationals, Round Three Pro Open Moto One Results (Top Ten)
1. Cody Cooper No Fear Honda
2. Craig Anderson No Fear Honda
3. Daryl Hurley Team Shift Motul Suzuki
4. Daniel Reardon Kawasaki Racing
5. Darryll King CDR/Nokia/Yamaha
6. Cheyne Boyd CDR/Nokia/Yamaha
7. Luke Burkhart Team Shift Motul Suzuki
8. Matt Moss CDR/Nokia/Yamaha
9. Craig Carmichael Team Seven M2R Racing
10. Shayne King Kawasaki Racing

2006 Nokia MX Nationals, Round Three Pro Open Moto Two Results (Top Ten)
1. Daryl Hurley Team Shift Motul Suzuki
2. Craig Anderson No Fear Honda
3. Shayne King Kawasaki Racing
4. Darryll King CDR/Nokia/Yamaha
5. Cody Cooper No Fear Honda
6. Cheyne Boyd CDR/Nokia/Yamaha
7. Daniel Reardon Kawasaki Racing
8. Craig Carmichael Tam Seven M2R Racing
9. Timmy Weigand Motrex KTM
10. Matt Moss CDR/Nokia/Yamaha

2006 Nokia MX Nationals, Round Three Pro Open Round Overall (Top Ten)
1. Daryl Hurley Team Shift Motul Suzuki 45
2. Craig Anderson No Fear Honda 44
3. Cody Cooper No Fear Honda 41
4. Darryll King CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 34
5. Daniel Reardon Kawasaki Racing 32
6. Shayne King Kawasaki Racing 31
7. Cheyne Boyd CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 30
8. Craig Carmichael Team Seven M2R Racing 25
9. Matt Moss CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 24
10. Timmy Weigand Motorex KTM 19

2006 Nokia MX Nationals, Round Three Pro Open Series Points Score (Top Ten after two rounds)
1. Daryl Hurley Team Shift Motul Suzuki 137
2. Craig Anderson No Fear Honda 111
3. Cody Cooper No Fear Honda 95
4. Darryll King CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 92
5. Daniel Reardon Kawasaki Racing 92
6. Shayne King Kawasaki Racing 91
7. Cheyne Boyd CDR/Nokia/Yamaha 88
8. Timmy Weigand Motorex KTM 71
9. Craig Carmichael Team Seven M2R Racing 65
10. Peter Boyle Fox Full Throttle Sports 65

2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites Championship, Round Three, Moto One Results (Top Ten)
1. Mitch Hoad Kawasaki Racing
2. Ryan Marmont Motorex KTM
3. Troy Dorron No Fear Honda
4. Jake Moss Serco Yamaha
5. Bronte Holland KTM Electric
6. Kade Mosig Fox Full Throttle Honda
7. Cameron Taylor Serco Yamaha
8. Michael Phillips Teknik Racing
9. Cody Mackie Team Troy Lee Design, Motul Pro Kawasaki
10. Dean Porter Privateer

2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites Championship, Round Three, Moto Two Results (Top Ten)
1. Mitch Hoad Kawasaki Racing
2. Cameron Taylor Serco Yamaha
3. Ryan Marmont Motorex KTM
4. Troy Dorron No Fear Honda
5. Bronte Holland KTM Electric
6. Kade Mosig Fox Full Throttle Honda
7. Justin McDonald Mid City Motorcycles
8. Shane Metcalfe Team Seven M2R Racing
9. Michael Addison Belmont Tools, WA KTM Dealer Team, Oakley, Fox
10. Kirk Gibbs Privateer

2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites Championship, Round Three, Round Results (Top Ten)
1. Mitch Hoad Kawasaki Racing 50
2. Ryan Marmont Motrex KTM 42
3. Troy Dorron No Fear Honda 38
4. Cameron Taylor Serco Yamaha 36
5. Bronte Holland KTM Electric 32
6. Kade Mosig Fox Full Throttle Honda 30
7. Jake Moss Serco Yamaha 27
8. Shane Metcalfe Team Seven M2R Racing 21
9. Cody Mackie Team Troy Lee Design, Motul, Pro Kawasaki 20
10. Robbie Marshall Serco Yamaha 19

2006 Maxxis Tyres Pro Lites Championship, Round Three, Pro Open Series Point Score (Top Ten after three rounds)
1. Ryan Marmont Motorex KTM 116
2. Troy Dorron No Fear Honda 104
3. Cameron Taylor Serco Yamaha 97
4. Mitch Hoad Kawasaki Racing 94
5. Bronte Holland KTM Electric 82
6. Kade Mosig Fox Full Throttle Honda 82
7. Jake Moss Serco Yamaha 69
8. Shane Metcalfe Team Seven M2R Racing 69
9. Dean Porter Privateer 59
10. Cody Mackie Team Troy Lee Design, Motul, Pro Kawasaki 56

2006 Craig Dack Rookies, Southern Heat, Moto One Results (Top Ten)
1. Joel Passlow
2. Keiran Hall
3. Matt Ryan
4. Matt Van Slooten
5. Keiran Tisdale
6. Matt Ginders
7. Brodie Sims
8. Jarryd McNeil
9. Callan Dickson
10. Mitch Cahill

2006 Craig Dack Rookies, Southern Heat, Moto Two Results (Top Ten)
1. Tye Simmonds
2. Joel Passlow
3. Jarryd McNeil
4. Keiran Hall
5. Matt Ryan
6. Matt Ginders
7. Beau Pesic
8. Kieran Tisdale
9. Simon Cox
10. Daniel Kreppold

2006 Craig Dack Rookies, Southern Heat, Overall Results (Top Ten)
1. Joel Passlow 47
2. Keiran Hall 40
3. Matt Ryan 36
4. Jarryd McNeil 33
5. Matt Ginders 30
6. Kieran Tisdale 29
7. Matt Van Slooten 28
8. Tye Simmonds 25
9. Simon Cox 21
10. Callan Dickson 16