Kawasakis Reardon Mauls Mackay
KRTs Dan Reardon made a clean sweep of the Pro Open Class onboard his KX450F, at Round Seven of the Australian Motocross Championship at Wonthaggi
It was full steam ahead for Kawasaki Racing Teams (KRT), Dan Reardon, who made a clean sweep of the Pro Open Class onboard his KX450F, at Round Seven of the Australian Motocross Championship at Wonthaggi over the weekend.
Team mates Mitch Hoad and Cody Mackie continued to make an impact on the Pro Lites Championship pointsrace, with Mackie moving up to fourth place and Hoad increasing his second place lead for KRT in the Championship.
In the Pro Open Qualifying session, Reardon came out and demonstrated his returned to form, recording the fastest lap time of the event, a 1:55.94.In Race One, Reardon was amongst the top fi ve riders battling the opening turns. Smooth passing manoeuvres had him out in front by the third lap and he continued to extend on his lead – lap by lap. Reardon took the chequered flag 12 seconds ahead of second place getter, Daryl Hurley.
Race Two again had the 450F pilot battling competitors in the opening turns. Reardon found clean air by the end of lap one, after a series of smart moves through the turns saw him get past leading riders. Once out in front,Reardon was unstoppable and he came away with a convincing win.“I was great to come away with the win in both races, though I wasn’t overly happy with my riding technique in Race One,” said Reardon. “I became tense during the race and struggled with arm pump. I think I was just too ready, too early. Race Two was good, as I rode smoothly and more in control which felt better. I really enjoyed the track as it wasfast and suited my riding style. The surface was really gritty and chewy which I enjoyed racing on.”
“It was good to get back on top of my game this week and come away with the win. I managed to build on my points lead over Hurley which was good and as there are only three rounds left in the Championship, every point from here on in is going to count.”
KX250F riders, Mitch Hoad and Cody Mackie, were both disappointed with their Race One results as the Pro Lites duo both struggled to fi nd podium winning form.Hoad, the notorious KX250F gun, had a disappointing Qualifying Session after a fall on the second qualifying lap. Bending his bike in the crash, Hoad was unable to rejoin the session and was forced to settle with the only qualifying lap time he had recorded before the fall, leaving him to start Race One outside the top ten. Hoad looked to have put his qualifying woes behind him at the commencement of Race One, but a crash on laptwo had the green pilot rejoining the race down the order. Hoad would again have to settle for a finish outside of the top ten.In Race Two, Hoad was determined to redeem himself. Amongst the top riders to challenge for the first turn, Hoad was up in third place by the completion of lap one.
Onboard his KX250F, Hoad recorded the second fastest lap time of the race, a 2:04.63 with team mate Cody Mackie recording the third fastest time. By the three quarter mark of the race, Hoad had placed himself in second and even the determination from a fastpaced Moss couldn’t waiver the determined green pilot, who held on to come away with the 22 points.
“I was really happy with Race Two,” said Hoad. “Qualifying and Race One was defi nitely disappointing for me and the Team. I was really happy to come out in Race Two and record fast lap times on my KX250F and finish on the podium.”“My result this weekend extends my Championship lead over third place to 23 points which is good.”Like Hoad, Mackie also had a slow start to proceedings, missing the start in Race One.
Fighting arm pump, Mackie had to work hard to hold on but managed to finish the race in tenth position.In Race Two, Mackie again didn’t get a great start but determination had him back up challenging in the top ten. With a few good moves, the 250F rider was up to third place. A fast travelling Moss managed to get past him andMackie fi nished Race Two in fourth position.
“In Race One, like so many other riders, I really had to work hard to try and get past my arm pump issues,” said Mackie. “I felt a lot better come Race Two and I rode a much smoother race. It was good to earn back points and move up the Championship ladder into fourth place. I am only six points behind Anderson in third, so I am keen to post good results at the next round at Wonthaggi and get back up into third place.”
KRT Team Manager, Brett Whale, was pleased with Reardon’s performance but admits he was worried for hisPro Lites pilots after Race One. “Hoad and Mackie didn’t do their Championship standings any favours after their results in Race One,” said Whale. “I am glad they came out in Race Two and posted fast lap times and a good result.
Hoad’s second place extended his points lead over Danny Anderson by 23 points and Mackie’s final ride also saw him move back up the ladder into fourth place in the Championship.
