Kawasaki Racing Teams Daniel Reardon has taken the Pro Lite and Open class wins at the third round of the Yamaha Queensland Motocross Championships at Munduberra over the weekend but the National Championship leader didn't have it all his own way.
While Reardon has expectedly been un-stoppable in the state championship in previous rounds the talents of the GYTR/ Queensland Yamaha Dealer Team of Dean Ferris and Simon Thompson have been steadily growing.
Ferris, who also races the National Under 19's championship, hit pay dirt at Munduberra by being one of the few riders to finish a race in front of Reardon.
It was a head turning performance from Ferris. Ferris blasted his YZ250F into the lead at the second turn of the opening Pro Lites moto and the kid just simply motored away. While Reardon was stuck in traffic, Ferris was out to a 10 second lead by the half way point and never looked like surrendering it.
"If I was going to be beaten by anyone, I am glad it was someone young like Ferris. That kid rides good and he works hard so I‰Ûªm excited for him," Reardon offered at the end of the moto.
A quick check of the lap times after the moto also proved that it wasn‰Ûªt just luck. Ferris had matched the lap times of Reardon throughout the moto and was only pipped by one tenth of a second for the fastest lap with a 1.33 .00 to a 1.33.10.
And to prove moto one was no fluke, Ferris and Reardon were at it again in moto two. The duo raced bar to bar for the first 10 minutes of the event until Reardon finally got some breathing room, but he didn‰Ûªt clear out. Ferris kept him honest and was within sight at the finish.
Moto three had Simon Thompson join the Ferris / Reardon party and the three riders cleared out from the pack. Reardon took the race win ahead of a GYTR/ QYDT 2-3 finish for Ferris and Thompson. With his 1-2-2 moto scores, Ferris charged to second overall on the day, beaten by one point by Reardon and second overall in the championship.
"What a day? I am so pumped that I could race with Reardon, but I also realise just how good that guy is. You can‰Ûªt afford to be lazy for even one corner or he will blow right by you. I learnt so much from racing with him today, from his corner speed, to his relentless fitness, to his professionalism and then for him to congratulate me after the race meant even more. Today just inspired me to be a better racer. I also have to thank the GYTR/ QYDT for the endless support," Ferris said from the podium.
As expected Reardon was the winner in the Open class taking a trio of victories once again. The GYTR/ QYDT party didn‰Ûªt end in the Pro Lites event though. Big bore specialist Simon Thompson (Wurth‰Ûªs Motorcycles) put on a career best day in the premiere class to take 2 ‰ÛÒ2 ‰ÛÒ3 moto results home for second overall on the day and second overall in the championship.
Thompson‰Ûªs results didn‰Ûªt come easy. He diced with the likes of Troy Carroll and Nathan Crawford in the Pro Open class for the majority of the motos only to have superior speed and endurance at the end. Simon rides with passion and determination and those characteristics come to the fore late in the race and when most riders are feeling the pain, Simon digs deep for another gear and never gives up. In the opening moto, Reardon‰Ûªs lead over Thompson was just over 20 seconds that is significantly closer than many have gotten at a national level.
Thompson‰Ûªs result on the Lites bike is also a significant effort. At over 185cms and nearly 90kg he isn‰Ûªt a small man and it is power robbing on the smaller capacity bikes, But Thompson makes up for it with his courage and commitment. If it wasn‰Ûªt for a couple of little crashes in moto one, he might very nearly have been standing on the podium in the Pro Lites event, but had to settle for fourth overall.
"My goal this year was to be fitter, faster and more consistent and I think I have achieved it. I can confidently go to the start line now knowing that I have done the work and deserve a good result and that is exactly what I am getting. My bikes are awesome and this year has been a major step forward for me, one that will continue as I think I have a lot more to offer," said a determined Thompson.
QLD Yamaha MX Championships
Rd 3 Results- Munduberra
Pro Lites
1st Daniel Reardon
2nd Dean Ferris
3rd Kyle Tobin
4th Simon Thompson
5th Nick Geck
Pro Open
1st Daniel Reardon
2nd Simon Thompson
3rd Nick Geck
4th Nathan Crawford
5th Troy Carroll
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CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Pro Lites
1st Daniel Reardon
2nd Dean Ferris
3rd Joe Hobson
4th Simon Thompson
5th Nick Geck
Pro Open
1st Daniel Reardon
2nd Simon Thompson
3rd Nathan Crawford
4th Troy Carroll
5th Joe Hobson
