KTM Australia‰Ûªs Caleb Ward has taken two from two motos, and claimed his first overall win for 2015, in what was a championship-changing day for the Motul MX2 class at Murray Bridge.
Shaken up was the theme for the class at round four, with an epic return to racing for KTM‰Ûªs Ward, a first podium appearance for Luke Arbon (SD3 Husqvarna), while Serco Yamaha‰Ûªs Luke Clout was forced into championship damage control.
Clout, who entered round four with a comfortable championship lead, headed out for MX2 qualifying confident - however a small mistake in the rhythm section before the finish sent the Yamaha rider over the handlebars during qualifying, in a huge upset for Serco Yamaha.
In moto one, KTM‰Ûªs Ward took his return to racing to a whole new level. After grabbing the first hole shot of the day, Ward had no need to look back. Checking out on the entire field, Ward crossed the line in first position, letting the MX2 class know that the young Queenslander is back in business.
Finishing a close second to Ward in race one, was South Australian local SD3 Husqvarna‰Ûªs Luke Arbon, followed by Kawasaki Australia‰Ûªs Takeshi Katsuya who claimed third.
For Red plate holder Clout, he was lucky to line up for moto one - however the series points leader managed to circulate for the entire 30 minutes and cross the line in tenth allowing him to continue to defend his championship, despite now nursing an injury.
In moto two, the shake up continued ‰ÛÒ a first turn pile up seeing Serco Yamaha‰Ûªs Jed Beaton go down along with JCR Yamaha‰Ûªs Jay Wilson, putting the championship front runners at the back of the pack.
However all eyes were once again on Arbon and Ward who went head to head for the entire 30 minute moto. Ward eventually passing Arbon for the lead just before the last lap board, was all that was requried in order to collect his first round overall for 2015.
With racing wrapped up, the top step on the podium was deservingly claimed by KTM‰Ûªs Ward, while local Arbon, (SD3 Husqvarna) settled for second ahead of Kawasaki Australia‰Ûªs Takeshi Katsuya in third.
‰ÛÏIt feels awesome to get this win under the belt." Ward said "I‰Ûªve spent a lot of time on the couch with my injury so to come out and get the win first race back is pretty cool.
‰ÛÏI really wanted to show everyone that I have the speed to win races and also that I can ride a four stroke too.
‰ÛÏEveryone has worked really hard to make this happen, so todays win is definitely for all of the people who have supported me to get me here.‰Û
