After a three-week break, the Australian Motocross Championships continues with the fourth round of 10 this weekend.

Being the first sand track on the 2015 MX Nationals calendar, riders and teams are set to be sorely tested, and their rapid adaptation to the new conditions will be critical to results at the iconic South Australian venue.

The year marks the fourth time Murray Bridge has hosted the MX Nationals and South Coast Motocross Club media representative Jane Raper says the club is looking forward to another action packed weekend of racing.

“The club absolutely cannot wait for the MX Nationals to kick off again this weekend,” she said.

“We have put a lot of work into the venue and the track itself to prepare for round four, and I think that everyone will be just as excited as we are once they arrive this weekend.

“The MX Nationals is a very important sporting event on the Murray Bridge calendar, so we are all looking forward to ticking off another exciting weekend of racing.”

Kiwi riders Cody Cooper, of Mount Maunganui, and John Phillips, of Rotorua, will continue their battle in the MX1 class, while Takaka’s Hamish Harwood will fight on in the MX2 division and Oamaru’s Joel Meikle should feature in the MX Development (Under-19) class.

KTM factory rider Kirk Gibbs is the man to beat in the MX1 class as he leads the championship chase by 19 points from team-mate Luke Styke.

“I just want to go there and ride my best – I believe I’m a podium guy every weekend no matter what track it is and I think I’m in a good position right now heading into Murray Bridge,” said Gibbs.

“I grew up on similar surfaces so I’ve had some experience on tracks like that and I’m comfortable there. I’m riding well and I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my career, so if I can ride smart and get good starts I feel like I can be on the podium.

“My biggest threat at the moment would have to be my team-mate Luke Styke. The CDR Yamaha guys are riding really well and they’re getting off to good starts, but my team-mate has been on the podium every round so far and he’s sitting in second in the championship.

“He’s a very consistent rider and I believe that he rides the loamier, sandier soil very well so I’ll be looking at him over the next few rounds. I’m not too sure about the communication over at CDR, but I know that no matter what Luke and I won’t be trading too much paint between the orange bikes.”

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MX1 championship standings after round three:

1) Kirk Gibbs – 204

2) Luke Styke – 185

3) Kade Mosig – 169

4) Adam Monea – 159

5) Lawson Bopping – 158

6) Cody Cooper – 151

7) Dylan Long – 144

8) Jesse Dobson – 140

9) Kale Makeham – 135

10) Daniel Reardon – 124

 

MX2 championship standings after round three:

1) Luke Clout – 200

2) Jed Beaton – 180

3) Jay Wilson – 175

4) Takeshi Katsuya – 171

5) Wade Hunter -145

6) Dylan Wills – 129

7) Hamish Harwood – 126

8) Dylan Leary – 119

9) Luke Arbon – 115

10) Riley Graham – 113

 

MX Development (Under-19) class standings after round three:

1) Wilson Todd – 158

2) Jesse Madden – 132

3) Toby Stevens – 123

4) Connor Tierney – 122

5) Kaleb Barham – 122

6) Wayde Carter – 122

7) Bailey Coxon – 118

8) Jonte Reynders – 111

9) Jayden Rykers – 111

10) Ryan Shadbolt – 97

 

The 2015 series calendar:

Rd1 – 29 March – Horsham, VIC

Rd2 – 12 April – Appin, NSW

Rd3 – 26 April – Broadford, VIC

Rd4 – 17 May – Murray Bridge, SA

Rd5- 31 May – Coolum, QLD

Rd6 – 5 July – Raymond Terrace, NSW

Rd7 – 19 July – Shepparton, VIC

Rd8 – 2 August – Nowra, NSW

Rd9 – 23 August – Toowoomba, QLD

Rd10 – 30 August – Coolum, QLD

© Photos by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com