The SS Race Team headed to the chilly surrounds of the iconic Mt Panorama in Bathurst for the final round of the NSW Junior State Titles, held on the weekend of the 6th and 7th of July.
The teams 65cc and 85cc rider Johnny Bova lined up for a big meet for the final Round with big dreams and a heart to match.
Bova's consistency on his 65cc MX R&D tuned Coastal KTM saw him claw his way through the field to finish with three 3rd place race results and the third step of the podium for the championship.
On day two Bavo stepped out on his 85cc machine keen to repeat the previous days result. With a new set of Pirelli tyres driving him up the start straight and propelling him to three holeshots, Bova rocketed to two convincing wins and a second place moto finish for the round that saw him stand on top of the podium, claiming both the round win as well as his first ever NSW State Title.
"I'm so excited to win my first ever NSW Title on my 85cc". Bova enthused
Riley Dukes went into the final Round with a narrow two point lead in the series and was keen to mix it again with the older boys of this class.
Quick reflexes again had Dukes take the first two holeshots and lead the races in their entirety with some close racing from the front runners. Race three did not go all Dukes way.
Riley had to battle in the early stages to get into third place and start working on the two lead riders, Caleb Grouthes and Brendan Walther. The crowd couldn't get enough of the tight duelling between these three.
Dukes changed up his lines to pass and gain the lead with Grouthes throwing all he had at Dukes but just couldn't find an opening as Dukes had an answer for everything he did taking the win for the day with three moto wins and in doing so won the Big Wheel 85cc title.
"Bathurst is always a challenging and narrow track and it's great to be racing against the guys I do, it makes you work hard for what you want to achieve." Dukes said at day's end.
Dylan Dukes also on his Coastal KTM, MXR&D 85cc in the 14-16years class came into the round in 4th place and knew that consistent riding was the key to a podium step.
Dylan got on with the job by doing exactly what was needed, riding his own race and not jeopardising the chance at another SS podium, finishing the day in third and lifted himself to third overall in the championship.
Jordan Hill was again extremely busy swapping between his 3 rides on the 85, 125 and 250cc machines. Hill had showed his absolute dominance on the 85cc and 125cc bikes in rounds 1 and 2, and again at Bathurst took wins from all his races over the two classes for the weekend giving him two NSW Titles and keen to make it a 3rd on the 250cc.
Hill only had a 2 point lead going into this last round and was confident that his Pirelli tyres would make it a whole lot easier from the front of the pack.
The sun shone for Hill who capitalised on his three holeshots to lead each of the three motos from start to finish and giving him the Trifecta of titles that he has been so keen to achieve.
"The track at Bathurst became more challenging as each day wore on becoming hard packed and slippery. " Hill stated. "All my determination and hard work has paid off and it's a pretty awesome feeling to win three State Titles in the same year".
Race Team Manager Serge Sola was blown away by the team managing five State Titles an another two podium positions from a great group of young riders.
"The support of our sponsors is just fantastic, Coastal KTM,MXR&D, FOX, Pirelli, Motul, LKI, Mongrel Motos and Funnel Web Filters, have help make all of this possible". Sola concluded.
