CDR/Rockstar Yamaha - Rd 1
Craig Dack Racing came to Horsham with their two star riders, Jay Marmont and Cheyne Boyd, far from 100% fitness. Marmont was suffering from the flu, while Boyd went into the opening round carrying an injured ankle.
"Last night we were pumping in the cold and flu tablets", Marmont said after race day.
" . . . . I knew it was going to be a tough day and then the rain set in!"
Both Jay and Cheyne were unable to get good drive from the gate at the start of the first moto, and were swallowed up by the pack.
Despite some top riding that was matching the pace of the front running trio, the poor start meant neither Jay or Cheyne could reel in the first three finishers. Despite this, CDR Rockstar Yamaha team principal, Craig Dack remained pragmatic about the results from the opening moto.
"I'm happy with that", Dack told JUST BIKES immediately after.
"For the first of 26 races, that's pretty good!"
Better starts in moto 2 for both riders were scuppered when Jay stalled his YZ 450F after being pushed wide by Billy Mackenzie in the uphill hairpin turn on lap one. Earlier, coming out of the big turn one right hander, Cheyne was almost bucked off his YZ, losing several places as he got back on track. As the rain got heavier and made the track all the more slippery, Jay crashed on the last lap, dropping him to eighth in the finishing order, while Cheyne fought back from his opening lap mishap to finish fifth.
In the final Pro Open moto, Jay showed the speed and smooth lines that have earned him the past two MX titles, leading from holeshot to chequered flag. This was a top result considering both Jay's physical condition after already completing two gruelling motos, and the incredibly slippery condition of the track that saw knobby tyres so packed with Horsham clay that they resembled slicks!
"I made that second race hard for myself, crashing on the last lap, but I brought it home strong in that last one and it's almost like trial riding out there it was so slippery - it was like riding on ice!", Jay said.
"But I didn't get roosted, and at the end of the day I got some good points and I'm looking forward to going to the next round."
Cheyne's 6-5-8 result from the opening round saw him finish in seventh overall, something last year's championship runner-up wasn't entirely unhappy with.
"I actually felt quite good on the bike, so I think the results will come in the near future. The wet conditions made it tough and if it weren't for a fall in moto 3, I might be a little closer to the front"
CDR's Craig Dack was satisfied with the performance of both riders, given the circumstances.
"Jay put in a good effort today to salvage as many points as possible considering his condition, while Cheyne is off to a much better start than where he was in the 2009 championship. It is a good platform for the riders and team to build on."
