Dale wins MX2 at 2012 MX Nationals round 3.
In a hard-fought contest, Dale won his first round for the year, with consistent 2-2-1 results across the three motos. The result also broke Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing's winning streak in the 250 class. Dale's win in the third and final moto came after a race-long battle with Adam Monea (Zero Seven Motorsports Suzuki).
"Qualifying went well yesterday, which was a good start to the weekend," Dale explained. "In the first two motos this morning I didn't get the best of starts and got second in both. And then in the last moto I had the game plan to get to the front as quick as I could and go from there - I've been struggling with the flu all weekend. I ended up making it through and came out on top."
Serco's Luke Styke brought the red plate to Wonthaggi, and consistent 3-1-6 results meant he left the Victorian circuit with the leader's plate, too.
"Today was good. The first two races went well and I felt like I had the speed and fitness to get the job done," Styke said. "But my start in the last race wasn't great so I just had to get as many points as possible. My plan is to be fast and consistent at every round and so far things are on track after the first three rounds."
Josh Cachia started the round off well for JDR KTM Factory Racing with victory in the opening moto after coming under all kinds of pressure from Dale. Fourth and seventh places in the final motos saw Cachia finish third overall, his first podium of the season.
"It was pretty interesting with close racing all day and the first race went well for me," Cachia explained. "I was pretty stoked to come away with the win in that moto and I definitely can't complain with that. I can't thank the team enough because they're like a second family to me and it makes it fun to come to the races."
Ryan Marmont had a less enjoyable round 3. A heavy fall in the final MX2 moto saw Cachia's KTM teammate transported to Dandenong hospital with concussion.
Tough starts put Monster Energy Kawasaki's Kade Mosig on the back foot in each MX2 moto. Having to battle through the pack in each race, Mosig rode well to post 7-8-5 results for 7th place overall at Wonthaggi. With some good starts, Mosig's current pace will get him back on the podium and further up the championship leader-board where he currently sits in fifth place.
2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Three - Wonthaggi, VIC
MX2 Overall Results:
1. Ford Dale 69
2. Luke Styke 60
3. Josh Cachia 57
4. Adam Monea 55
5. Cheyne Boyd 49
6. Kirk Gibbs 43
7. Kade Mosig 43
8. Errol Willis 39
9. Geran Stapleton 36
10. Lewis Woods 29
MX2 Championship Standings (after 3 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 192
2. Ford Dale 179
3. Kirk Gibbs 162
4. Josh Cachia 149
5. Kade Mosig 140
6. Cheyne Boyd 136
7. Adam Monea 135
8. Errol Willis 115
9. Justin McDonald 110
10. Ryan Marmont 91
MXD
A third new winner of the 2012 season was awarded in the Pirelli MXD category, with New Zealand KTM contender Kayne Lamont taking out his first win of the year with 2-1-7 results.
"I'm really enjoying the new power of the two-stroke and it seems to get good starts - except for the last race," Lamont said after switching from a four-stroke recently. "Qualifying went well for me and the first gate pick helped a lot. I had a moment in the first race and got up to second, then in race two I got the holeshot and won it. In the third moto I was 25th through the first turn and got back into the top 10, so it was a good result."
GYTR Yamaha's Sam Martin raced to his second podium of the year in second overall after winning moto two, edging out another KTM rider in Kale Makeham for that position on the podium.
Series leader Dylan Long won the final moto and took fifth overall for Choice Motorsports KTM to hold onto that red plate, one position behind round two winner Dylan Leary on yet another KTM.
2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Three - Wonthaggi, VIC
MXD Overall Results:
1. Kayne Lamont 61
2. Sam Martin 57
3. Kale Makeham 56
4. Dylan Leary 53
5. Dylan Long 44
6. Ben George 43
7. Joel Milesevic 39
8. Jay Wilson 39
9. John Phillips 36
10. Mitch Budd 36
MXD Championship Standings (after 3 of 10 rounds):
1. Dylan Long 168
2. Sam Martin 157
3. Dylan leary 157
4. Kayne Lamont 155
5. Kale Makeham 152
6. Joel Milesevic 131
7. Jay Wilson 128
8. Mitch Norris 123
9. Mitch Budd 90
10. Dylan Wills 87
The series will next head west to Wanneroo in Western Australia on 12-13 May, marking round four of 10 for the 2012 season.
Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.
Images: TwoThree PR, Shayne Rice, KTM Australia
