Mackenzie draws first blood in MX Nationals
And American PJ Larsen dominates LitesScotland's Billy Mackenzie (Kawasaki) has made an impressive start to his new career in Australia, claiming the overall victory at round one of the 2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals in Horsham (Vic) today.
After dominating qualifying, Mackenzie, hardened by years of world motocross competition in Europe, was the only rider to finish on the podium in all three 20-minute motos in Horsham, and now takes an 8pt lead into round two ahead of Honda's Todd Waters.
In the Lites class, another import, this time American PJ Larsen (KTM), also outmuscled the local riders, winning two of the three races in emphatic fashion.
"It's a good way to start the season," Mackenzie said. "There's been such a good atmosphere ever since I got here, I'm enjoying Australia, and I'm just enjoying riding my bike again.
"I had a bad year last year and I just came here to get refreshed and it's definitely working."
The Open races were won by Waters, Mackenzie and defending champion Jay Marmont (Yamaha) respectively, and other riders to taste podium success in Horsham included KTM team-mates Andrew McFarlane and Tye Simmonds, and Honda privateer Dean Ferris.
Waters set the fastest lap of the day in his race one victory.
In Lites, Larsen's two-race winning streak to open the season was eventually snapped by Kirk Gibbs (Yamaha), who is equal second in the standings alongside Ryan Marmont (KTM). The duo is on 56pts, four behind Larsen.
"Today was a really good day," Larsen said. "In the first moto I came from a long way back to win it and my team-mate came second.
In the second moto I had a few crashes and a bad start but I had the holeshot to start with and ended up 11th
"So coming into the third moto I just thought I needed to ride smart and that's what I did.
"The team has gone one and two this round, and it's a great way to start the season."
In the under 19 class, KTM's Josh Cachia was the overall winner.
Click on the following link for full results.
Round two of the championship will be held on April 18 at Fairbairn Park in the ACT.
Photos: kajx Communications
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
