Marmont and Moss: 2009 Aussie MX champions

Yamaha’s Jay Marmont and Suzuki’s Matt Moss have maintained their composure to claim the Open and Lites classes in the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship.

The series wrapped up at Coolum (Qld) yesterday, with Marmont retaining his Open title after winning two of the three motos at Coolum, with his teammate and closest challenger, Cheyne Boyd, winning the other.

Marmont finished on 459pts, ahead of Boyd (438pts), with Andrew McFarlane (373pts) making it a clean sweep for Yamaha. Kawasaki duo Cody Mackie (323pts) and Craig Anderson (279pts) rounded out the top five.

"It was an unreal day, I qualified first and from there won the first race and then got second to Boydy in the second (race) and then won the last moto," said Marmont.

"The best thing about the day was that I was able to race the day on my terms and was just the perfect way to finish the championship for my family, friends and fans who have supported me throughout the year.

"My plan today was to show my dominance and my speed and that's what we did in each of the three races. It was a great day and it feels great to be able to have that No. 1 plate again next year."

Although he was the form rider for most of the championship, Boyd was left to rue a pedestrian start to proceedings.

“You can’t start a series like I did and let them get away from you,” Boyd said.

“People asked me what I changed and what I did but I knew I was on the right program and didn’t change anything and it was just a matter of time.

“It was so frustrating at the start of the year, but to walk away with so many wins towards the end of the season and to finish the way I’ve finished it great.

“I would have liked to have won today, but Jay is so strong and smart he was always going to be tough to beat.”

In the Lites, Moss, 20, was without peer in all three motos, with his championship cause helped out by mechanical problems and a bad crash for defending champion Luke George (Kawasaki) which put him in hospital.

Moss won the first moto by seven seconds and moto two by four seconds. The third, and final, moto of the season was red flagged after a crash, which resulted in it reduced to 10 minutes. The drama did little to ruffle Moss’s concentration, and he led from start to finish, taking the chequered flag seven seconds clear of his nearest rival.

The perfect points haul guaranteed Moss his first ever national motocross championship, and Suzuki’s first national MX title since 2005.

The win adds to the 2008 Pro Lites Super X he won on his Suzuki RM-Z250.

“It's just a sensational feeling, knowing all that hard work was worth it," said Moss.

“It’s been a long season, but I’ve kept my eyes on the prize throughout and it’s great to win another title for Suzuki.

“The bike was great today – as it has been all season – and I’d like to thank Jay for running one of the best teams in the business.”

George could only manage a best of fifth in race one at Coolum, while 2-3-4 results for Tye Simmonds (KTM) saw him finish second in the championship on 380pts, with Moss (422) and easy winner.

George finished on 341pts from Suzuki’s Lawson Bopping (288pts).

Luke Styke (Yamaha) won the U19s title, and Tori Dare (Yamaha) is the new women’s champion after defeating Kristy Gillespie (KTM).

New Zealander Darryll King (Yamaha) took out the inaugural Vets Cup from Glen Bell (Honda) and Peter Melton (Kawasaki).

Click the following link for results in the 2009 Australian Motocross Championship.