The title defence is off to the best possible start for Kawasaki ace Jay Marmont as he won the opening round of four in this year’s Australian Supercross Championships in Dubbo overnight.

Runner-up was New South Welshman Daniel McCoy, with Queensland’s Jake Moss taking the third step on the podium box.

It wasn’t so good for the Kiwi race fans, however, with Pro Open class hopeful Ben Townley crashing out of the main event.

Townley was forced to withdraw from the race following a huge crash in the whoops section as he tried to avoid hitting a rider about to be lapped on the eighth lap of 20.

“That was a tough day, I feel as if I’m not quite ready yet,” said Townley.

“I need to be realistic with my goals and need a couple more weeks riding and training to be where I need to be.  It did however feel really good to be back behind the gate, there is no doubt about that.”

Meanwhile, American rider Gavin Faith won the Pro Lites class main event, ahead of Queensland rider Kade Mosig, while New Zealand’s Scotty Columb managed an eighth placing in the 15-lap race.

“I qualified third in my heat and in the 15-lap main was going alright, behind Ryan Marmont and Steven Clarke, when I stalled the engine,” said Columb.

“I dropped back down in the pack, but climbed back up to eighth.”

New Zealand’s James Anderson finished a lap down on the winners in the Junior Lites grade final, forced to settle for 13th overall.

This race was won by New South Welshman Aaron Tanti.

RESULTS from round 1 at Dubbo:

PRO OPEN

1. Jay MARMONT (NSW)

2. Daniel McCOY (NSW)

3. Jake MOSS (QLD)

4. Lawson BOPPING (NSW)

5. Tye SIMMONDS (NSW)

6. Todd WATERS (QLD)

7. Billy MACKENZIE (QLD)

8. Cheyne BOYD (VIC)

9. Jacob WRIGHT (QLD)

10. Sam DUNCANSON (QLD)

11. Craig ANDERSON (NSW)

12. Matt HAWORTH (QLD)

13. Luke WILSON (QLD)

14. Nathan BROCHTRUP (NSW)

15. Jason REED (QLD)

16. Nicholas GECK (QLD)

DNF. Ford DALE (QLD)

DNF. Brodie HARTIN (NSW)

DNF. Ben TOWNLEY (NZ)

DNF. Matt MOSS (NSW)

 

PRO LITES

1. Gavin FAITH (US)

2. Kade MOSIG (QLD)

3. Luke STYKE (NSW)

4. Steven CLARKE (NSW)

5. Ryan MARMONT (NSW)

6.  Geran STAPLETON (VIC)

7.  Keiron HALL (NSW)

8.  Scott COLOUMB (NZ)

9. Nicholas SUTHERLAND (NSW)

10. Mitchell NORRIS

11. David MELLISH (QLD)

12. Kim ASHKENAZI (NSW)

13. Rickie GIRDWOOD (SA)

14. Luke CLOUT (NSW)

15. Errol WILLIS (NSW)

16. Casey TURNER (QLD)

17. James BOOTH ELLIOTT (SA)

18. Lincoln NICOL (NSW)

19. Tristan CACHIA (VIC)

20. Corey LUCAS (VIC)

 

UNDER 19s

1. Hayden Mellross

2. Kale MAKEHAM (VIC)

3. Jay WILSON (NSW)

4. Corey JAMES (NSW)

5. Ben GEORGE (NSW)

6. Sam MARTIN (VIC)

7. Nick SCOTT (QLD)

8. Jake VELLA (NSW)

9. Jake DONAHER (NSW)

10. Daniel BANKS (SA)

11. Jarrad DAVIS (NSW)

12. Joel EVANS (QLD)

13. Meghan RUTLEDGE (NSW)

14. Elijah WIESE (SA)

15. Mitchell NICHOLS (NSW)

16. Travis FLACK (NSW)

17. Jordan NOLES (SA)

18. Brodie DAVIDSON (NSW)

DNF. Dylan LONG (VIC)

DNF. Wade HUNTER (QLD)

 

JUNIOR LITES

1. Aaron TANTI (NSW)

2. Tim O’BRIEN (VIC)

3. Joel WIGHTMAN (NSW)

4. Nathan DENNY (NSW)

5. Brock McLEARY (NSW)

6. Thomas HENRY (VIC)

7. Bailey COXON (QLD)

8. Dylan LOCHHEAD (NSW)

9. Jai DELBOUX (NSW)

10. Harry RAE (NSW)

11. Blake SOLA (NSW)

12. Dylan HEATON (NSW)

13. James ANDERSON (NZ)

 

JUNIOR 85/150

1 56 Blake SOLA (NSW)

2 34 Elias DUKES (NSW)

3 16 Kaleb BARHAM (QLD)

4 121 Tyler BULLEN (NSW)

5 88 Jordan HILL (NSW)

 

Photo by Aaryn Minerds