The deep rutted terrain at Toowoomba’s Echo Valley Motocross Circuit (QLD) paved the way for Motorex KTM’s Ryan Marmont to regain his lead in the Pro Lites Championship, at round seven of the Australian Motocross Championship over the weekend.

Riding the KTM 250 SX-F, Marmont entered his toughest ride of the motocross season, going into the round six points behind Troy Dorron of Honda. Dorron took the Pro Lites Championship lead from Marmont at the previous Newcastle (NSW) round, when Marmont was challenged with tyre problems.

With a two week gap between the Newcastle and Toowoomba races, Marmont adopted an intense training regime, riding long motos daily, whilst undeterred by the outside world as he focused 100 per cent on regaining the *red number plate for the Pro Lites Championship.

Riding two faultless motos, Marmont cleaned up in both of his races, taking the holeshot and showing no mercy to his competitors as he battled the technical track.

In moto one, Mitchell Hoad of Kawasaki attempted to challenge Marmont but a loose chain took him out of contention, giving Marmont a comfortable run home.

In moto two, Marmont was unstoppable setting the fastest lap time and finishing over 15 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Meanwhile, Troy Dorron didn’t finish both races moving last year’s Pro Lites Championship winner Cameron Taylor of Serco Yamaha into second behind Marmont.

Last year Marmont played runner up to Taylor and will not settle for second this time, claiming he hasn’t worked this hard to come runner up.

The Pro Lites Championship points now sit with Motorex KTM and Ryan Marmont in first on 277, Cameron Taylor of Serco Yamaha in second on 252 and Troy Dorron of Honda in third on 233.

Motorex KTM’s Pro Open riders Daniel McCoy and Lee Ellis had a mixed day of results as they took to the track on board the KTM 450 SX.

Both riders didn’t finish the first moto as McCoy was challenged with rear brake problems and had to pull in, while Ellis had a get off which took him out of the race.

In the second Pro Open moto both KTM riders got mid-pack starts, finishing the entire race to come home with Ellis in 9th and McCoy in 10th.

The next round of the Australian Motocross Championship should see Ellis back in his element as the event takes place at Victoria’s Broadford circuit, a track he his quite familiar with as a local training ground.

Meanwhile, McCoy is jet setting off to the USA to train for the next round by competing in the Mammoth Mountain Motocross event with the likes of veteran riders Jeremy McGrath and Carey Hart.

QUOTES:
ROB TWYEROULD – Race Team Manager
“The entire team put in a tremendous effort to help regain the Pro Lites Championship for which I’m very proud,” said Twyerould.

“Ryan Marmont is a true professional rider and he knows every great rider has a great team behind him. The Motorex KTM crew have been on the road for two weeks working long hours between several races. They prepared KTM’s enduro team for the Finke Desert Race and then worked around the clock to prepare each team rider’s bike for the Motocross Championship.

“In the Pro Lite racing of the Motocross Championship, the KTM 250 SX-F was faultless. Marmont is in a class of his own and deserves the Pro Lites crown given his commitment and determination to win.

“We did some testing on the KTM 250 SX-F during the week, making some adjustments to Marmont’s suspension which allowed for some good gains on the bike.

“A great bike and an awesome rider left all other Pro Lite contenders falling to the wayside.

“In the Pro Open, Daniel McCoy and Lee Ellis were challenged with a few mechanical problems and get offs in moto one, but they both came home within the top ten for the second moto.

“With only three rounds to go we’re hoping McCoy and Ellis can secure a podium finish to end the motocross season on a high.”

RYAN MARMONT – Pro Lites
“My game plan was to start out strong in each race, which is what I did by taking the holeshot,” said Marmont.

“With such a technical track you needed to get a good start because this type of terrain takes a lot out of you.

“I was really determined to get back the red number plate after my tyre problems at the last round saw it taken from me.

“I’m stoked all my hard training paid off and hopefully we can keep the momentum going and at the next round secure enough points to seal the Pro Lites Championship.

“I have two weeks off and I’ll be training just as hard with a goal to win.”

LEE ELLIS - Pro Open
“The ruts were really challenging for me today. I had a heavy crash when another rider came into the rut the same time as I did and we collided, throwing me off my bike,” said Ellis.

“I was dazed for around five minutes after that and before I knew it the race was over.

“In my second moto I started around 11th passed a few riders and was into 9th in no time where I stayed until the race ended.

“I struggled on the track today as I’m not used to this type of terrain. The next round will be in Victoria at Broadford where I’m familiar with the circuit giving me more confidence for the racing.”

DANIEL MCCOY – Pro Open
“I was really confident going into this round and felt sure of a podium finish,” said McCoy.

“I know I have the speed and competitive edge to be up there with the front runners but my bike set up caused a few brake problems as early as qualifying, so my challenges started even before the racing.

“A few different brake set up techniques were tried for my first moto, which didn’t work out causing my oil to over heat and my rear brake to fail. It was too dangerous for me to stay out on the track so I had to pull in.

“We had a different brake system set up for my second moto but it was grabbing the wheel and I wasn’t comfortable on it. I rode on and finished 10th but I know I could have done so much better if I didn’t have set up problems.

“The timing for these problems is really harsh because there are only three rounds to go and I personally want to make more of an impact on the Australian Motocross Championship for my riding career.

“I’m going to America this week to race at the Mammoth Mountain Motocross where I’ll be riding Timmy Weigand’s KTM 450 SX practice bike. This event will give me some good preparation for the next round at Broadford in Victoria, where hopefully everything will go to plan for a podium finish.

Motorex KTM Racing Team will now break for two weeks before heading to Broadford in Victoria for round eight of the Australian Motocross Championship on Sunday 9 July.