Supercross

Matt Moss Wins Back To Back SX1 Titles With Crowd Thrilling Win In Brisbane

Gavin Faith leads Honda Clean Sweep in SX2, Wills Wins SXD, Hill Likewise in SXJ

Author: Aaryn Minerds

Posted:

Sunday, November 9th, 2014

11:36 AM

Motul Suzuki's Matt Moss had continued his winning run that has seen him win the past four Pro Open Australia Championships he has entered by making it back to back Penrite Australian Supercross titles last night in Brisbane.

In front of a near packed house at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the Queensland crowd warmed to the number one plated Suzuki of Moss early in the night during rider introductions with the New South Welshman becoming a Maroons heartland favorite by nights end after a stunning come from behind win in the main event.

The nights proceedings started off tough for Moss on his quest to clean sweep the 2014 SX1 championship after winning the opening four rounds. Moss was one of a handful of riders who crashed in his opening heat, leaving him at the back of the field though he was able salvage a fourth place finish. Things went a little better in the second heat though Moss once again had to fight his way through the field to finish 3rd behind heat winner Josh Cachia and runner up Jay Marmont.

When the nights main event fired into life it was Daniel McCoy who claimed his third straight holeshot of the night on his privately backed, blacked out Yamaha, ahead of Craig Anderson Racings, Factory Husqvarna rider Cachia and NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki's Adam Monea, while Moss who tentatively made his way through the first turn was in 9th at the end of the first lap, just one position behind Suzuki Privateer Sam Martin.

Adam Monea showed great speed all season long to finish the series out in second overall - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

Out front Monea made his way by Cachia on lap three, before moving into the lead two laps latter making the pass on McCoy. Behind the leading trio some of the nights big favorites hit the deck including KTM Racing's Kirk Gibbs who won both his heats earlier in the night and Penrite Honda's Jay Marmont after they tangled in a corner.

While Gibbs was able to continue in the race after picking himself up, Unfortunately for Marmont who was racing his final full time Supercross season, he was left to end his career with a DNF after having trouble re-starting his bike.

Moss was able to take advantage of the two riders crashing moving his way up to fifth position by lap eight when he was handed fourth position when team-mate Lawson Bopping washed out his front wheel in a turn.

Now in 4th position and with the leaders in sight Moss put down the hammer and reel in Cachia and McCoy by lap eleven and by lap 16 had the race lead.

Sam Martin was another standout in the main event, coming from deep in the field to snatch 3rd place on the podium for the round - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

Moss never looked back from there going on to recorded his fifth straight win of the season and his second straight supercross title to go along with his back to back MX Nationals titles in 2013 and 2014.

"That was a weird race, I had already wrapped up the championship by making into that race and I was content with where I was," Moss admitted regarding the early stages of the race.

"Then I got to a point were I could sort of see the leaders riding round and they were not gaining anything so I thought lets put the hammer down and started making some moves and things fell together.

"It was one of those things, we always seem to come good in the final. We have had some bad luck in the heats this year but we have always come through with the goods.

"It was bitter sweet, I have pretty much lead from start to finish in every moto, so people have questioned my if I could win without a good start, but I was able to prove all them guys wrong then and that was pretty sweet.

"A lot of people went down out there, but that is racing, that could of happened to me but we got it done with the whole Motul Pirelli Suzuki team, Alpinestar Crankt Protine Drinks.

"Also well done to the guys who run supercross, Konsky pulled it out the bag this year, the racing reminded me of old times, It reminded me of racing here when I was 12 years old and Chad Reed and Travis Pastrana were out here racing, it is pretty unreal for the sport and I feel that we are digging ourselves out of a hole so I am happy with that.

Matt Moss is your 2014 Australian Supercross SX1 Champion - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

With the championship now over Moss will turn his attention towards the Bercy Supercross flying out on Tuesday to race the big annual international Supercross event

"I fly out to Bercy on Tuesday, Alpinestars with Suzuki have organised it for me and I could just not do this stuff without those guys. They have orgainsed a lot for me, which is really good."

Finishing second to Moss on the night was Adam Monea, who also wrapped up second place in the championship. It was another solid night of racing for the Kawasaki KX450F rider that also included a heat win.

"First of all I have to give it up to the team and everyone involved. I also have to give it up to these two (Yarrive Konsky / David White) for putting on the series," Monea commented at the official awards presentation.

"At one point it did not look like we were going to have a series, Supercross is a championship that needs to be ran here, obviously we have some decent riders over here and Mossy has proved that on the world stage in the AMA, when he was making mains and pushing it with all the regular guys.

"I would also like to give it up to Jay Marmont, he has had a stellar career, he is a legend of the sport and will never be forgotten, he is something special.

"A big thanks to everyone who helps me out, to eveyone who helps the sport and to everyone working to make teh sport move leaps and bounds forward, it is what we need."

Lawson Bopping rounded out the SX1 podium for the 2014 season. Credit: Aaryn Minerds

Rounding out he podium for the round was Sam Martin who like Moss raced a sensational race through the field to land on the podium.

While Martin claimed the final step of the podium for the night, it was Lawson Bopping who rounded out the 2014 SX1 Championship in third position.

"A big shout out to the Motul Suzuki team, the series has been a little bit up and down but I had fun, I just tucked the front there in that turn but ah well." Bopping said at nights end after costing himself a chance at second place in the championship during the nights main event.

"Congrats to Adam and Matt they rode stellar all year and I look forward to next year. Thanks to all our sponsors it is a big effort so thanks a lot."

Finishing fourth in the championship standings was Gibbs after his crash with Marmont put him out of the podium running. Gibbs KTM Racing team-mate, Jesse Dobson who came into the team at the last minute continued his impressive supercross season debut and despite having a big get off during the nights program, was able to round out his very first season of supercross racing in 5th place in the SX1 standings.

Josh Cachia's strong final round elevated him to 6th ovearll ahead of DPH Yamaha's Kade Mosig, Penrite Honda's Jay Marmont, while the privateer Honda duo of Justin Carafa and Chris Camilleris who have traveled the country racing the series together rounded out the top ten finishing ninth and tenth respectively.

SX2

Gavin Faith has made Australia his second home during our supercross season and earned himself another Aussie title - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

American Gavin Faith has won his second Australian SX2 Supercross Championship with a second place finishing at Brisbane leading a Honda 1-2-3 in the final overall standings.

It was SD3 Husqvarna rider Luke Arbon who was the standout rider in his two heats races winning both races, while in the second set of heats Faith went head to head with Broadstix Honda's Taylor Potter who was looking to cement his spot at the top of Supercross in Australia, with the two riders splitting their heats with one win apeice.

With the stage set for an epic final race of the season, it was Faith that rocketed his Factory Honda into the lead early, but a mistake would see the American allow, the Factory Husqvarna of Ryan Marmont into the lead with Arbon also sneaking around Potter in the process.

Arbons time in front of potter was short lived however as the South Australian bobbled through a double double section, allowing Potter un the inside of the next berm where the two made contact resulting Arbon crashing on the downside of the berm hitting and forced out of the race.

Taylor Potter has been a revelation this season racing his way to his maiden SX2 main event win and second spot in the championship -Credit: Aaryn Minerds

A mistake shortly after by Marmont allowed Potter to take control of the proceedings, with the Victorian holding off a fast charging Faith and Raceline Suzuki supported Hayden Mellross who moved his way through the field into third position by the half way mark of the race.

Mellross was able to move ahead of Faith on a couple of occasions but on both times Faith quickly edged back in front.

Out front Potter rode a controlled but fast pace to bring home his first every SX2 round win, backing up his two second place finishes at rounds two and four earlier this season to finish the season out second overall in the championship.

"That was an unbelievable feeling to get my first Supercross win in front of such a big crowd." Potter commented. "When I got into the lead I was just screaming at myself saying this is it, this it and then it happened and it was just unbelievable.

"Its been a long time coming and I am really glad to get one under the belt that is for sure.

"Now the plan is to head back to the States, we are working on some things at the moment, so hopefully we can go back there and give them a run for their money this time."

Wilson MX's Kyle Peters made it a Honda clean sweep taking third position in this years SX2 title - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

Potter may have won the round but all the spoils went to Faith who crossed the finish line in second position just ahead off Mellross to wrap up another Australian title.

"Its awesome to wrap up another title," Faith said from the track floor at the conclusion of the SX2 main event. "It really was a great season all around, I minimized my mistakes from last year.

"I could not be happier with all the effort the team put in, it all work out well."

"Ill have to speak to the team owner Yarrive and see what things are happening, but I definitely be back that is for sure," Faith added when questioned if he would be returning to defend his title or move to the SX1 class in 2015.

Rounding out the final step on the championship podium was Wilson MX Honda rider Kyle Peters. The American's night did not go exactly to plan struggling to find his usual pace on the tight indoor circuit, though is 8th place finish in the night main event was enough to secure him enough points to hold off Mellross for the final step by the smallest of margins.

SXD, SXJ and Support

Dylan Wills fought his way back from injury and the pressure of leading the series into the final moto of the year to become the 2014 SXD Australian Champion - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

Coming into the final round of the SXD championship, the stage was set for a show down between KTM 250 SX-F mounted Jack Simpson and KTM 250SX mounted Dylan Wills as the two riders entered the Brisbane round separated by just four points in the favor of Simpson.

Simpson drew first blood in the opening race, kicking of proceedings with a dominant win just ahead of Aaron Tanti, while Simpson recovered to a fifth place finish after working his way through the field.

Race two was a near replica of race one, with Wills again racing to the win, this time ahead of Thomas Ravenhorst, while Simpson again worked his way through to a fourth place finish, leaving Wills with a handy points break leading into the final race of the year.

Wills again fired himself into the lead early in the race, while Simpson was once again left at the back of the pack. With two laps to go and coming under pressure from Ravenhorst in second, Wills with his eyes on the bigger prize slowed and allowed Ravenhorst to make an easy pass for the lead, before going on to finish second for the race to secure both the round win and his maiden Australian Supercross title.

"It feels unbelievable to wrap up this title, it is the best feeling in the world and the best achievement of my career so far for sure," said an elated Wills directly after his final race of the night.

"I have say thanks to my family and everyone behind me, KTM Newcastle, LKI Clothing, Alpinestar, Bell helmets, Wilmax Graphics, Rise Energy Drink, just everyone who supports us, I could not do it without you and I am so stoked to win this.

"It has been a long time coming, I have spent a lot of time injured, so to finally get it done it is unbelievable."

Ravenhorst claimed second overall for the round ahead of Tanti in third, Izak Maule in fourth and Simpson in fifth.

Simpsons fifth place for the round was enough to leave him in second place in the final championship standings, while McLeary who had a night to forget was able to hold off a fast finishing Ravenhorst for the final podium position by five points.

Jordan Hill showed his is a rider to watch for in the future, winning all five rounds in the junior Supercross Class -Credit: Aaryn Minerds

In the Junior class, it was Yamaha mounted Jordan Hill who took all before him wrapping up the 2014 Championship.

Local rider Kaleb Barham turned it on in the opening two junior races of the night to take the first two wins of the night. However a disaterous final race left him mid pack, allowing Hill to replicate Matt Moss's achivements by winning every round of the championship on his way to the title.

In the Queensland Supercross Cup it was Stephen 'Robbo' Robinson who edged out Jamie Mollema for the SX2 round win, while for the second time this year Nic Bressan held off X-Games gold medalist Cameron Sinclair in the SX1 class, with Jono Krusic rounding out the top three.

SX1 Main Event Results
1. Matt Moss
2. Adam Monea
3. Sam Martin
4. Daniel McCoy
5. Jesse Dobson
6. Josh Cachia
7. Lawson Bopping
8. Kirk Gibbs
9. Kade Mosig
10. Robbie Marshall
11. Kieren Tisdale
DNF. Jay Marmont

SX1 Final Championship Standings
1. Matt Moss - 175 Pts
2. Adam Monea - 150 Pts
3. Lawson Bopping - 142 Pts
4. Kirk Gibbs - 137 Pts
5. Jesse Dobson - 121 Pts
6. Josh Cachia - 113 Pts
7. Kade Mosig - 111 Pts
8. Jay Marmont - 104 Pts
9. Justin Carafa - 94 Pts
10. Chris Camilleri - 81 Pts
11. Sam Martin - 74 Pts
12. Daniel McCoy - 70 Pts
13. Jake Moss - 68 Pts
14. Kieren Tisdale - 56 Pts
15. Keith Tucker - 53 Pts
16. Tim Vare - 49 Pts
17. James Booth-Elliot - 43 Pts
18. Joel Newton - 36 Pts
19. Sam Martin - 30 Pts
20. Robbie Marshall - 21 Pts
SX2 Main Event Results
1. Taylor Potter
2. Gavin Faith
3. Hayden Mellross
4. Dylan Long LONG
5. Geran Stapleton
6. Ryan Marmont
7. Jackson Richardson
8. Kyle Peters
9. Luke Wilson
10. Kale Makehame
DNF. Brenden Harrison
DNF. Luke Arbon

SX2 Final Championship Standings
1. Gavin Faith - 167 Pts
2. Taylor Potter - 144 Pts
3. Kyle Peters PETERS - 140 Pts
4. Hayden Mellross - 137 Pts
5. Kale Makeham - 125 Pts
6. Ryan Marmont - 118 Pts
7. Brendan Harrison - 112 Pts
8. Geran Stapleton - 103 Pts
9. Luke Wilson - 99 Pts
10. Jackson Richardson - 96 Pts
11. Luke Arbon - 95 Pts
12. John Prutti - 91 Pts
13. Boyd Hocking - 79 Pts
14. Tristan Duncan - 75 Pts
15. Jake Williams - 70 Pts
16. Jake Vella - 50 Pts
17. Dylan Long - 43 Pts
18. Nick Sutherland - 43 Pts
19. Dylan Long - 28 Pts
20. Lewis Woods - 26 Pts

SXD Round Results
1. Dylan Wills
2. Tomas Ravenhorst
3. Aaron Tanti
4. Izak Maule
5. Jack Simpson
6. Brock McLeary
7. Connor Rice
8. Miles Clissold
9. Dylan Wilson

SXD Final Championship Standings
1. Dylan Wills - 475 Pts
2. Jack Simpson - 459 Pts
3. Brock McLeary - 436 Pts
4. Tomas Ravenhorst - 431 Pts
5. Aaron Tanti - 396 Pts
6. Izak Maule - 388 Pts
7. Trent Wheatley - 290 Pts
8. Blake Sola - 119 Pts
9. Tim O'Brien - 118 Pts
10. Connor Rice - 69 Pts
11. Miles Clissold - 68 Pts
12. Dylan Wilson - 48 Pts

SXJ Round Results
1. Jordan HIll
2. Kaleb Barham
3. Lachlan Holroyd
4. Anthony Regina
5. Travis Silk
6. Jesse Bishop
7. Joel Cigliano
8. Drew Cigliano
9. Fraser Higlett
10. Jacob Buckman

SXJ Final Championship Standings
1. Jordan Hill - 503 Pts
2. Lachlan Holroyd - 464 Pts
3. Travis Silk - 431 Pts
4. Drew Cigliano - 375 Pts
5. Joel Cigliano - 372 Pts
6. Dylan Dukes DUKES - 352 Pts
7. Kaleb Grothues - 158 Pts
8. Bradley Cain - 144 Pts
9. Kaleb Barham - 94 Pts
10. Jacob Buckman - 92 Pts
11. Anthony Regina - 82 Pts
12. Jesse Bishop - 76 Pts
13. Jimmy Griffin - 76 Pts
14. Fraser Higlett - 69 Pts
15. Dylan Wakarstschuck - 69 Pts
16. Tyler Derby - 68 Pts

For Full Results from round five and final championship standings for all classes - CLICK HERE