CDR Yamaha‰Ûªs Billy Mackenzie took his fourth podium of the year with another impressive performance at round five of the MX Nationals on the rolling green fields of Conondale, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
After a set back at round three in Wonthaggi, Mackenzie has been gaining momentum at each round since and is right in the thick of the premier MX1 championship battle as the series hit the halfway point over the weekend.
On a wet and slippery track, Mackenzie made the important top five, Superpole Shootout and claimed the third fastest lap and the extra three points that come with it.
In the racing proper, Mackenzie fired his factory CDR Yamaha YZ450F into the lead pack and he went to work. He battled hard for the next 30 minutes to claim third place and a solid points haul in the opening moto.
Moto two and the 211 machine was in second and coming on strong during the early going. As the race wore on, the battle for the lead tightened up with Cody Cooper out front, Mackenzie and Matt Moss and within a few seconds.
Unfortunately for Mackenzie, with only a few turns to go, Matt Moss slipped by and relegated him from a potential second place finish for the round, to third overall. Still, a good effort and Mackenzie is really starting to gel with the CDR team and machine.
‰ÛÏI felt that last moto was one that got away. I had some good momentum going in stages of the race but I didn‰Ûªt capitalise on it and get the win." Mackenzie explained. "Then to lose a position in the last few turns was stupid.
"In the championship, all points matter and I have to fight for all of them," he added.
‰ÛÏBut the bike has been working great the last couple of rounds. I found a setting that I really like and suits a lot of tracks we race so that gives me confidence for the last half of the championship.
‰ÛÏWe have a break now before round six so I will rest up a bit, then get stuck into it for the last half of the season give it all I have,‰Û
