While Jay Marmont is making his way up the Pro Open Australasian Supercross standings, he will again be faced with another import eager to ensure he does not reach the podium.

The CDR Yamaha rider (pictured above) will be joined by new team-mate American Jeff Alessi for the remaining four rounds of the Super X series, starting in at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland this weekend.

A star on both the American and European supercross scenes, Alessi will meet up with brother Mike (KTM) who has been racing already in the early rounds of the Super X series.

Arriving in Australia a week ahead of schedule, Jeff Alessi has been working hard acclimatising himself to his new surrounds and will be hopeful of a solid start come Saturday night.

For Marmont, the departure of Justin Brayton (Yamaha) and Kevin Windham (Honda) opens the door for the opportunity to move within striking distance of series leader Justin Hansen (Kawasaki).

Currently 24 points behind the American, Marmont is looking to use Auckland as a launching pad for his title assault.

“I have been consistent so far, but I’m not 100% happy with how I raced,” he said.

“I feel I have been getting better each round and the team has also found a few gains in the bike during a test session this week, so I hope to be able to get on the podium and close up the point’s gap between myself and Hansen.”

In other news, it has been a Super X series to forget for the Serco Yamaha team, with Kirk Gibbs ruled out of the remainder of the season and Ford Dale languishing in 10th overall in the Pro Lites standings.

Down to one rider, Dale will be hoping to give his team something to smile about during the two New Zealand rounds.

Also out now is GYTR/Rockstar/Yamaha rider Harley Quinlan following a practice crash in Queensland this week. His team-mate, Ross Beaton, is already sidelined with injury.

There are 13 New Zealand riders lining up in Auckland this Saturday night. They are: Cody Cooper (Suzuki), Ben Townley (Kawasaki), Michael Phillips (Honda), Mason Phillips (Kawasaki), Aaron Jane (Yamaha), Jesse Wiki (Honda), Jothathan Martelli (Kawasaki), Peter Broxholme (Honda), Nathan West (Yamaha), Craig Smith (Honda), James Ainsworth (KTM), Daniel Jack (KTM) and Jayden Jessup (Yamaha).

Championship Standings – After round three:

Pro Open

1. Josh HANSEN- 130

2. Justin BRAYTON –121

3. Jay MARMONT – 106

4. Kevin Windham – 95

5. Daniel REARDON -92

6. Tye SIMMONDS -82

7. Todd WATERS – 78

8. Daniel McCOY – 71

9. Jake MOSS – 66

10. Lewis WOODS – 66

Pro Lites

1st Matt Moss – 157

2nd PJ Larsen – 140

3rd Ryan Marmont – 118

4th Lawson Bopping – 105

5th Cody Mackie -98

6th Harley Quinlan – 97

7th Josh Cachia – 81

8th Steve Clarke – 79

9th Robbie Marshall – 73

10th Ford Dale – 64

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com