Posted: Tuesday, 12th May, 2009 : 9:36 PM - - 3,579 Reads

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	Tye Simmonds

Riding the KTM 250 SX-F with Motorex KTM Racing, Tye Simmonds won the opening round last month in Albury Wodonga (NSW/VIC), and was leading the Pro Lites Championship ten points ahead of Luke George (Kawasaki), yet at round two in Canberra, George rode home in second behind Matt Moss, with Tye Simmonds in third, closing the gap to one point in Luke George’s favour.

Commenting on the battle ahead on Queensland soil, Simmonds said, “Luke and I are definitely going to be on the gas at the next two rounds to outdo each other. I respect his riding style, he is fast, consistent and determined to win, but so am I, and I don’t like coming second or third for that matter, so I’m looking to Queensland to make up ground and reclaim the Pro Championship lead.

“Both Luke and I know the battle isn’t between just the two of us though, because there are at least six guys who if they get a good start in the Pro Lites could be up on the podium. One thing we both agree on is our biggest threat, and that’s Matt Moss (Suzuki). Mossy won the last round at Canberra, and is determined to make up ground after walking away from the opening round in Albury with less points than he had hoped.

“I have been training with Mossy out at my home tracks around Bourke (NSW), and I’m quicker than him off the starts, and I can also keep up with him in lap times, but I have the advantage of track familiarity at home, so I need to put all this training into practice on race day.

“I’m confident if I can get a good start, I can hold onto the lead, and I’m hoping for some warmer weather to keep the blood flowing, because the cold and fatigue at the previous round contributed to some serious arm pump that slowed down my racing.”

The current Pro Lites Championship points tally sits with Luke George on 104 points, Tye Simmonds on 103 points, and Matt Moss on 93 points.

Motorex KTM Racing was also hoping to see the return of new recruit Kade Mosig to the Queensland rounds, after an accident at the opening round last month took him out racing. Mosig broke his hand, and although his pins have been removed from his fingers and wrist, doctors have not given him the all clear to race, and further physio is required.

In the Under 19s class, Motorex KTM Racer, Jason Reed who has been shortlisted to compete for the Australian Team in the World Junior Motocross Championship, is confident to crack the podium after a ninth and tenth result at the previous two rounds.

Reed said, “I have been putting in the hard yards with my dad training on my home tracks at Tocal (NSW), and I’m feeling fit and confident to battle with the front runners Josh Cachia and Luke Styke, who have set a pretty fast pace for this year’s Under 19s Championship.”

The third round of the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship will be held at Toowoomba Motocross Club, Corner Nelson and Ramsay Streets, Toowoomba, QLD. The fourth round will be held at Gum Valley Motorcycle Club, Thompson Road, Koumala (near Mackay), QLD. Racing is from 8:30am.

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