Jed Beaton Soild in Italy While Hunter Lawrence is Sidelined With Injury

Jed Beaton has taken another top ten moto finish in the fourth round of the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship at Pietramurata in northern Italy.

Beaton found himself initially down in twenty-fourth position in the opening MX2 moto but the Australian persevered throughout the thirty-five-minute race to advance to fifteenth at the chequered flag.

A better start in race two saw him complete the opening lap in thirteenth position and within two laps he was already ninth; he kept charging to finish the race eighth for a round result of 12th overall

After four rounds he is now ranked eighth in the championship standings, just fourteen points shy of the rider holding fourth place.

"This weekend wasn't really good, in the first moto I collided with another rider and had no front brake in the race but came back from twenty eighth to fifteenth," Beaton explained. "My start in the second moto was much better and I came in the top ten withtin a few laps; I was seventh with sixth in front of me for most of the race but lost one position later. My second moto was much better and I ended the weekend on a pretty good note, but I expect more for the next GP in Portugal."

Compatriot Hunter Lawrence didn't fare as well as Beaton.

The MX2 title contender was forced to pull-out from proceedings after Saturday‰Ûªs qualification race. The Australian had crashed in timed practice and while initial scans didn‰Ûªt show too much damage, it was only after he had to stop riding in the qualifier with too much pain, that the new scans then showed that he had broken his middle metacarpal in his right hand. Obviously that means he‰Ûªll be missing Portugal but he is hopeful of a return for the Russian MXGP on May 1

Team manager Gordon Crockard said that he hopes Lawrence can return as fast as possible and maintain his level of performance from before the crash, when he does return, which will hopefully be in Russia.