Ballarat is set to ignite this weekend as the best motocross riders from across the state, and country, go head-to-head in the opening round of the 2011 Victorian Senior Motocross Championships this Saturday, April 16.
Over 330 extremely eager riders, including a handful from the Ballarat region, will be out to test their bikes along with their skills ‰ÛÒ of which both would have been tirelessly worked on over summer ‰ÛÒ on one of the most natural all-terrain motocross tracks in the state.
"In all honesty, Monza is one of the best natural all-terrain tracks in all of Victoria. I've been to a few, and they don't bring as much joy in riding as Monza Park does," said Ballarat Rovers MC's sport secretary Neale Perkins.
Ballarat Rovers Motorcycle Club has played host to plenty of quality motocross events recently, including the 2011 Victorian Western Region Motocross Series in March, where 2009 Australian 85cc champion, Joel Milesevic, from Lal Lal, clean-swept the A-Grade Junior Lites 150cc two-stroke class on his Yamaha 125.
The series opener will feature Bairnsdale's Jake Emanuelli in hot form as he competes in the A-Grade Lites class. Emanuelli got his 2011 campaign off to an impressive start in the 2011 Shell Advance Gippsland Regions Motocross Series, also in March, as he notched up all three race wins. Emanuelli also won his first race in the Pirelli Under-19s class at the 2011 MX Nationals at Raymond Terrace last weekend, where he sits fifth overall.
2010 reigning Victorian champion Thomas Alexander, from Portland, will also be in action defending his crown in the hotly-contested A-Grade Lites class, and will duel it out with Victorian motocross ace Kade Mosig, also fresh from competing in the Rockstar MX Nationals, where he sits eighth overall in the Motul Pro Lites class.
The 2011 Victorian Senior Motocross Championship is held over four rounds; Round 2 at Maffra-Sale, Round 3 at Swan Hill, with Round 4 finishing off in July at Newborough.
"Ballarat Rovers has had a proud history in hosting quality, well-organised motocross events. We definitely won't break that trend when we host the first round of the 2011 Victorian MX Titles this weekend," said Ballarat MCC president Mick Nash.
The Victorian Motocross Management Committee has also introduced all-new classes in 2011 for the Veteran riders: Over 30s Expert, and Over 40s class.
"With fantastic sponsors in Ringmaster, KTM, Airstyle Imports, Cykel Choice Suspension, 2112, Mountain Shades, Ficeda, Top Gear Motorcycles, including our media partners Transmoto Magazine, and Fullnoise.com.au, the 2011 Victorian Motocross Titles is as strong as ever," said Simone Sandwith, member of Motorcycling Victoria's Motocross Management Committee.
"We'd like to thank Ballarat Rovers and their tireless volunteers with all their work on preparing for the event. They keep managing to outdo themselves year after year. Ballarat Regional Tourism, a division of the City of Ballarat, has also been right behind this event as well, and has provided fantastic support."
"Ballarat is delighted to host the first round of the 2011 Victorian Senior Motocross Championships," said George Sossi, Director of Ballarat Tourism. "Ballarat has a long and proud history of sporting excellence, and wishes everyone taking part in the opening round at Monza Park the best of luck."
"2011 looks set to be a big year for motocross in Victoria," added Simone.
Main Photo: Jake Emanuelli will contest the A-Grade Lites class at Ballarat.
Credit: Garry Morrow
