Gillespie takes out Women’s MX Title and Parrington wraps Under 19s
Development Series creates new Champions Kristy Gillespie Australian Women’s Champion Kristy Gillespie (KTM) has won the third and final round of the 2008 Yamaha Australian Women’s Motocross Championship, with Adelia Barton (Honda) in second and Katherine Prumm (Yamaha) in third.
In a spectacular day of racing the sun was shining on Gillespie, who was fastest in qualifying and then took the day with second and first places in the two motos.
With two-time World Champion Prumm contending her third World title, and unable to make it back to Australia for the final round, the door was left wide open for our Aussie riders to step up onto the podium and show the crowd what they were made of.
And they didn’t disappoint, with the girls battling it out on almost every corner their high calibre of riding demonstrated why they are Australia’s best.
Special mention must go, however, to young Ashlea Bates (Husqvarna) who came into the round in third place and was undoubtedly one of the strongest riders of the day.
Unfortunately mechanical problems forced the Coffs Harbour local out of Qualifying and she was also unable to complete the first moto, leaving a devastated Bates out of Championship contention.
Gillespie, who could empathise with Bates, was a deserving winner following a consistent season of riding with the orange KTM Team.
“To Ashlea, bad luck, I know what it’s like, it happened to me back in 2006 and it only makes you want to go harder next year, so I’m sure she’ll come back strong in 2009,” Gillespie said.
“The team have all been working hard throughout the season and finally we’ve managed to pull it all together, I’d just like to thank everyone so much for all their support.”
Meanwhile Adam Parrington (Kawasaki) has won the M2R Under 19’s in the 2008 MOTUL MX Development Series with Luke Styke (Yamaha) and Mitch Bush (Yamaha) in second and third respectively.
A number of the Under 19’s riders made the most of the opportunity to ride the well-prepared Lake Macquarie track, as they are now only two weeks away from the seventh round of the MX Nationals, to be held at the same circuit.
With young KTM rider Tye Simmonds, lining up in the M2R Under 19’s for the first time, he put on an impressive display taking two wins from two motos, with some hard and fast racing and an epic battle between himself and Lawson Bopping (Suzuki) in the second race.
Not to be outdone, Dylan Peterson (Honda) won the Maxxis Rookies 15 years, with Jason Reed (KTM) in second and Chris Gay (Yamaha) in third.
Finally many thanks must go to everyone involved in the 2008 Yamaha Australian Women’s Championship and the 2008 MOTUL MX Development Series.
It’s been a fantastic season, full of awesome riding, adrenalin pumping action and has showcased some of Australia’s best female and emerging Motocross talent!
Results
2008 Yamaha Australian Women’s Motocross Championship Standings
1: Kristy Gillespie (KTM) 129 points
2: Adelia Barton (Honda) 109
3: Katherine Prumm (Yamaha) 100
4: Ashlea Bates (Husqvarna) 96
5: Tahlia Neilson (Yamaha) 90
M2R Under 19’s Championship Standings
1: Adam Parrington (Kawasaki) 96
2: Luke Styke (Yamaha) 92
3: Mitch Bush (Yamaha) 76
4: Stephen Zappelli (Suzuki) 58
5: Luke Wilson (Kawasaki) 53
Maxxis Rookies 15 years
1: Dylan Peterson (Honda) 124
2: Jason Reed (KTM) 122
3: Chris Gay (Yamaha) 96
4: Harrison Wooding (Yamaha) 94
5: Troy McNally (Yamaha) 83
