A dedicated effort from the Yamaha Racing Team's Pro Open squad has culminated in a number of positive results for CDR/Nokia/Yamaha at this weekend's round of the Nokia MX Nationals at Toowoomba in Queensland.

A common observation from all riders was that the surface began to form deep ruts in the early afternoon, making racing line selection crucial to recording a good result or simply staying aboard the bike.

There were a number of changes in championship position for Craig Dack's riders this weekend, with Boyd and Dale both climbing up the order.

The team will next get the opportunity to further improve on its championship standings as the season approaches its highly anticipated conclusion, with series travelling to Broadford for the next round in two weeks.

CDR/Nokia/Yamaha battled against the odds to salvage a number of positives from this weekend's round of the Nokia MX Nationals, headlined by all three riders finishing within the top ten overall placings.

Darryll King, Cheyne Boyd and Ford Dale approached the weekend seeking to challenge the leaders for the podium spots and were looking to make good on their objectives before luck gradually began to desert them.

Just 15 points shy of a top three championship spot going into the round, a revamped Darryll King secured himself a good gate position and got off to a good start in the opening moto before falling victim to another first lap crash.

King was hit by 3 riders as he rode out of turn three, and in his typically gritty style remounted the bike despite being in serious pain. He circulated to finish the race, and then contested race two in similar style, pushing himself to the limit in order to avoid recording a DNF.

Amazingly, King still pulled through to record 7th overall for the round, highlighting his persistent and competitive nature.

The veteran rider left the circuit this evening with bruising to his vertebrae and a suspected cracked rib, but vowed to bounce back ready for the next round at Broadford in two weeks time.

Cheyne Boyd has finished a commendable 5th overall for the weekend after realising a number of personal goals and relishing the opportunity to contest for the lead with the front pack of riders.

Boyd was disheartened by an average qualifying result but once he got underway in the opening moto felt as good as he ever had, and had the support of an equally impressive CDR/Nokia/Yamaha-engineered YZ450F beneath him.

Despite struggling with arm pump in the latter stages of the races, he felt that he had recdiscovered a competitive edge and was already looking forward to the next round.

"I didn't qualify nearly as high as I would have hoped to, but I put that behind me and just focused on getting a good result for the first moto," said Boyd.
"The speed, strength and handling of the bike was perfect and really suited my style today, and was even good when the track began to rut up, making it challenging for everyone."

"In the end, a distracting case of arm pump set in and I wasn't able to make any further inroads, but I really feel as though it has been a positive weekend for myself, and I think I managed to grab back a few championship spots."

Boyd elevated himself back to 7th in the hunt for the title, while King still sits in 5th with just 3 rounds remaining.

Ford Dale enjoyed another strong run for CDR/Nokia/Yamaha this weekend and shone once again when adverse conditions threatened to put pay to a good result.

Dale crashed as he headed into turn two in a battle for position, and remounted the bike at the very back of the field.

He put in an exceptional effort to pass over 20 competitors on his way to 7th in moto one, an amazing feat by any rider's standards.

Dale was slowed in the second moto by tough track conditions as large ruts began to appear, making it difficult to move forward in the pack.

"Overall it was a pretty good weekend, considering the crash at the start of the first moto where I could have been pretty much down and out for the round," said Dale.

"It's not the first time I've had to call on all my strength and fitness to come back through the pack and I couldn't have done it without the support of the team and of course the Yamaha YZ450F which was working really well."

"I am really enjoying the support that Craig Dack and the entire team are showing me, and feel as though I'm growing as a rider each and every round I can contest."

Dale now sits just 3 points outside the top ten in the Pro Open class, an amazing effort for someone of his age.