MX Nationals head to Murray Bridge

Following a four-week break in the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals, Murray Bridge will play host to round four on Sunday, May 8 – South Australia returning to the calendar for the first time since 2009.

Last time out at Murray Bridge it was Victorian Cheyne Boyd who was victorious in the premier Pro Open category ahead of triple defending champion Jay Marmont as team-mates at CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha.

Now, Boyd forms one half of the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing effort and currently sits fourth in the 2011 standings, and he’s confident that he can regain the race-winning form that he enjoyed at Murray Bridge back in ’09.

“Murray Bridge’s softer soil is the type that suits my riding style and it definitely boosts my confidence heading back to South Australia,” the 29-year-old explained. “I had good results in both 2008 and 2009 at the circuit, but for sure with four shorter motos this season my main focus in the lead-up has been practicing starts.

“You can have all the pace in the world on track, but if you don’t get out of the gates then you’re going to struggle. The pace has picked up over the last year, so I for sure know it’s not going to be as easy to win as it was in 2009 at Murray Bridge.

“I know I’m going to be one of the fastest on that surface and on that track though, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Leading the charge into Murray Bridge is former world title runner-up Josh Coppins, the Kiwi replacing Boyd at Yamaha alongside Marmont.

Coppins currently maintains a 9pt advantage in the championship after winning rounds two and three, while consistent 20-year-old Aussie rising star Dean Ferris (Monster Energy Kawasaki) sits second ahead of Marmont.

Ranked fifth place behind Boyd is rookie revelation Lawson Bopping (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki), with round one winner Billy Mackenzie (Monster Energy Kawasaki) sixth.

Murray Bridge will also see the return of another quick Kiwi in Cody Cooper, the Rockstar Motul Suzuki standout forced to skip round three following a rib injury and collapsed lung sustained in Sydney’s round.

Motul Pro Lites class leader Matt Moss (JDR Motorex KTM) has been in the United States since round three training with JDR Motorsports’ U.S. operation, and he is on track to extend his dominant 85pt lead. Moss, 22, was victorious in the Lites last time out at Murray Bridge in 2009 on his way to championship success.

Slotting in behind Moss so far this year is last year’s series runner-up Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yoshimura Yamaha), who is South Australia’s great hope for a home round victory. Gibbs, 21, heads Moss’ team-mate Brenden Harrison, who is third in the series to date.

The Pirelli Under 19s development category will also feature a South Australian title contender in 18-year-old Luke Arbon. From Gawler, but now based in Queensland during the season, Arbon won round one of the season and is second in the series heading into Murray Bridge.

Leading the Under 19s ahead of Arbon is Raceline Pirelli Suzuki’s Errol Willis, who won round two earlier this month in Sydney, and round three winner Dylan Peterson (Team 07 Axis Motorsport Honda) is third.

Practice and qualifying will commence at 8:30am with the official opening ceremonies taking place at approximately 10:30am.

Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for more information on the 2011 season.