CDR ROCKSTAR YAMAHA - ROUND 5 - JUST BIKES

CDR Rockstar Yamaha - Round 5

A change of bike settings almost proved disastrous for Jay Marmont at round 5 of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals.

Testing in between races, Marmont changed a number of settings on his CDR YZ 450F for the Raymond Terrace round, but the changes didn't translate into race pace. After struggling in the first two motos (finishing seventh and sixth respectively), Marmont reverted back to his earlier settings and the results were instantaneous. In the final moto, Marmont flew out of the gate, bar to bar with Kawasaki racing Team's Billy Mackenzie. Marmont looked like he would have to settle for the final podium place as Mackenzie and Anderson made it an all-British contest, but the reigning champ showed grit and determination to reel in Mackenzie and close on Anderson by mid-race distance. At the chequered flag, Marmont was only five seconds adrift of Anderson. If the moto had run a little longer, he would have likely passed the Brit for victory.

Combined scores of 7-6-2 were enough to snare fifth for Marmont on the day, but the big picture is far more pleasing, as Marmont has stretched his lead over Tye Simmonds to 13 points with three rounds remaining.

"We went out testing last week and it's all my fault, I got the setting wrong, so in the last race I went back to my original settings and felt a lot more comfortable - so I almost left my run too late out there, but the team pulled through in the end," Marmont said.

"It was good to go out there and bang bars with Brad and Billy and it's also good to see my teammate Cheyne up there, but I think we're going to have to go back to the drawing board, because we can't let these guys from the UK keep coming over here and beating us on our home soil!

"Maintaining the red leader plate is a great feeling, that's our overall goal and what we've got our eyes on, but at the same time we can't get too comfortable out there.

"The past couple of rounds have not seen me at my best early and then I am able to pick it up later in the day. I just have to work on some race intensity in practice to fire myself up as soon as I hit the track.

"Congratulations to my teammate Boydy for making the podium, and the entire CDR Rockstar Yamaha team for their continued support," Marmont said.

Cheyne Boyd continued his now traditional 'second half surge' to post two podium finishes and an impressive third overall for round 5 - his best result so far this season. While all the local riders could find no answer to the speed of Brad Anderson, Boyd and Honda privateer, Dean Ferris arguably came closest to catching the flying Brit.

"I've had a good week and I'm pumped with today," Boyd said.

"I just believed that my efforts during the week would reward me on the weekends. And while it has been some time coming, it feels good to get up on the podium and back up to speed again.

"Today was a good result but I still think there is more left in me for the remaining rounds. I also want to thank the CDR Rockstar Yamaha team for their patience and energy in getting this result," Boyd said.

Despite not dominating the championship like they did in 2009, CDR team principal, Craig Dack, still saw positives from the Raymond Terrace performance.

"It was great to see Boydy up there this weekend. I know how hard he works and getting on the podium for the first time will give him plenty of confidence. For Jay, it was a tough day for him, yet he still increased his lead in the championship. It shows he is a fighter and if we can just get him up and running for those early motos, I think we are looking great for another strong championship finish," Dack explained.