McAdam Park motocross circuit at Barrabool in Victoria favoured local riders in the Pro Lite class for round five of the Australian Motocross Championship on the weekend.

Going into the round Motorex KTM’s Ryan Marmont was determined to maintain his lead in the Pro Lite Championship, a goal he achieved by placing 4th overall on the day, yet Geelong based rider Troy Dorron dominated race proceedings to now move within nine points of Marmont’s lead.

Riding the KTM 250 SXF Ryan Marmont got the holeshot in his first moto and was riding out front until the half way mark when Mitchell Hoad of Kawasaki and Troy Dorron of Honda made a pass. Riding close behind was Serco Yamaha’s Cameron Taylor who also made a pass on Marmont with two corners to go, pushing Marmont back to fourth for his first moto.

In the second Pro Lite moto, Dorron took the lead very quickly and led from start to finish. The battle behind saw Marmont, Taylor and Hoad dice the entire race. Taylor pulled ahead to take second leaving Hoad and Marmont to challenge each other for the final podium placement. Hoad passed Marmont with three corners to go yet Marmont came back before the race ended to claim third in his second moto.

Motorex KTM and Ryan Marmont still maintain a lead in the Pro Lites Championship by nine points as Marmont sits on 204. Chasing Marmont is No Fear Honda rider Troy Dorron in second on 195 points and Serco Yamaha’s Cameron Taylor in third on 178 points.

In Pro Open racing Motorex KTM riders Timmy Weigand and Daniel McCoy took to the track on board the KTM 450 SX, finishing in the top ten. Both riders were pleased to complete both motos, yet they encountered a few get offs which eliminated their chance of a podium.

The entire team is feeling confident going into round six of the Australian Championship at Newcastle next Sunday May 28, where they will adopt a new game plan to take on the Barleigh Ranch Circuit.

Motorex KTM Racing Team will also attend the official store opening of Coastal KTM in West Gosford on Friday 26 May.

QUOTES
Rob Twyerould – Motorex KTM Race Team Manager
“Ryan once again rode very consistently on the Barrabool circuit and we’re pleased he maintained his lead in the Championship,” said Twyerould.

“Dorron is closing the gap, moving within nine points of Ryan’s lead but that will only make Ryan all the more determined to ride hard and win at the remaining rounds. Ryan is hungry for this Championship title and it isn’t something he is going to give up that easy.

“In the Pro Open, Motorex KTM saw some improvements with Timmy Weigand and Daniel McCoy finishing both of their motos and placing back in the top ten. The bikes ran smoothly for them with good mechanical set up so now we just need to work on race handling to avoid get offs and we should be back on the podium.”

Ryan Marmont – Motorex KTM Pro Lites
“I rode consistently again which has helped me maintain my lead in the Pro Lites Championship,” said Marmont.

“Troy Dorron is creeping up on me now after winning the Barrabool round but that only makes me all the more determined to work harder and maintain my lead in the Championship.

“I was battling hard with Troy Dorron, Cameron Taylor and Mitchell Hoad and although it may not sound like it on paper there was only seconds between us come the finish.

“I’ll be putting in the hard yards this week at my home track to ensure I’m ready for Newcastle. I had a big crash at the Newcastle track last year so I want to ensure I’m prepared for all its obstacles. It’s a relatively short track so you have to get out early and stay out front.”

Timmy Weigand – Motorex KTM Pro Open
“Everything was running well with my bike so I was confident to finish strongly at this race meeting but I was deterred by the watered down track and the rain,” said Weigand.

“I don’t feel confident riding on slippery conditions which takes my focus off the racing. I had a few get offs whilst trying to handle the slippery track which pushed me back in the field so that is something I will just have to work on.

"Each race is a learning curve as I get to sample more and more Aussie circuits, hopefully I will make up some ground at Newcastle this weekend.”

Daniel McCoy – Motorex KTM Pro Open
“It feels good to be back on the board by finishing in the top ten, said McCoy.

“I hate not finishing a race so to come out of this round finishing both motos is very satisfying.

“I got the hole shot in my first moto, when one of the riders jumped the start gate before it dropped. I managed to stay up with the front runners until I lost the front end and crashed out. In the end I got back up and still finished strongly.

“In my second race it started raining and I had no goggle tear offs which made my vision blurry. Even with that challenge I finished strongly and was positioned eighth overall when combining both motos, which is a big improvement on previous rounds.

“We’re testing this week at Ryan’s house which will help prepare for Newcastle where I hope to improve even further.”

Lee Ellis – Motorex KTM Pro Open
Missed the round recovering from injury.