Chad Reed takes out Monster Energy Super X opener in Newcastle
TeamVodafone’s Chad Reed has taken out the first round of the Monster Energy Super X Championship in Newcastle tonight with a very dominate performance in front of a home crowd of over 12,500 at Energy Australia stadium.
US imports Josh Hansen and Justin Brayton claimed the remainder podium spots coming in second and third respectively.
The Double Header race format featured in the final, which pitted riders against each other in 2, 12 lap heats. Cougar Bourbon Thor Honda’s Dan Reardon grabbed the first holeshot with Monster Energy / Pro Circuit’s Josh Hansen second and Reed third.
The racing was bar to bar for first, second and third place at the start of the race, but a small slip up by Hansen allowed Reed to pass him. Reed then sat on Reardon’s tail and eventually made the pass half way through the race. Hansen overtook Reardon and began to chase Reed, but the reigning champion was too fast and held on for the win.
Reardon held on for third and CDR Rockstar Yamah’s Jay Marmont finished fourth. Second fastest qualifier also from the USA, Muscle Milk / Toyota JGRMX rider Justin Brayton, who was pushed over the berm on the first corner, made his way back through the pack to finish fifth.
Local rider Craig Anderson claimed the second holeshot in the second moto, but it was Reed who got out to an early lead with Brayton second and Reardon third. Hansen passed Reardon on the third lap and the three internationals held their position until the end with Reed throwing a huge whip to his home crowd fans once over the finish line.
Chad Reed (AUS)
“First and foremost I want to thank all of the Newcastle fans for coming tonight. It has been a long term plan to have a race here and after three years it has finally happened. I felt right at home racing out there tonight and it feels great to get the win.
“2010 has been a tough year for me, but I had a blast riding tonight.”
Josh Hansen (AUS)
“I rode really consistent tonight so I’m happy. I had great fun here tonight and I am really enjoying Australia. I’ve got to thank Monster for making this possible.”
Justin Brayton (AUS)
“My first race didn’t go to plan, but I managed to get a good start in the second so it was a good result. Reed is racing great and it’s good for him to get the win in front of his hometown. I am really enjoying Australia and I am looking forward to the next two rounds.”
The always exciting Lites class was also decided with a Double Header final and it was US rider JDR Motorex KTM’s PJ Larsen who finished first with Rockstar Motul Suzuki rider Matt Moss second and JDR Motorex KTM’s Ryan Marmont third.
Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s Lawson Bopping was leading until the second last lap on the first moto, but was pipped at the post by Larsen with Marmont third. Cody Mackie took an early lead in the second moto, but was overtaken by Larsen and Moss. Moss then overtook Larsen in a close shave and held on for the win.
Dylan Long won the first round of the Michelin Development Series with Jacob Wright second and Luke Clout third.
The series now heads to Canberra for the second round at Canberra Stadium next weekend.
OPEN Top Ten Results – Round 1
1. Chad REED – TeamVodafone: 50
2. Josh HANSEN – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki: 42
3. Justin BRAYTON – Muscle Milk / Toyota JGRMX: 38
4. Daniel REARDON – Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing:38
5. Jay MARMONT – CDR Rockstar Yamaha: 34
6. Tye SIMMONDS – JDR Motorex KTM: 27
7. Todd WATERS – Cougar Bourbon Thor Honda:27
8. Daniel McCOY – Coastal KTM Motorex Team:27
9. Jake MOSS – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki:27
10. Craig ANDERSON – Berry Sweet / Pro Grip / Talon / RHK / Forma: 21
LITES Top Ten Results – Round 1
1. P J LARSEN – JDR Motorex KTM: 25
2. Matt MOSS – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 22
3. Ryan MARMONT – JDR Motorex KTM: 20
4. Kade MOSIG – Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor: 18
5. Lawson BOPPING – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 16
6. Cody MACKIE – Kawasaki Racing Team Cool Air Conditioning:15
7. Harley QUINLAN – Yamaha: 14
8. Luke GEORGE – Monster Energy Kawasaki:12
9. Luke STYKE – AXO / Oakley / Shark / Galvin Construction: 11
10. Kirk GIBBS – Serco Yamaha:10
Michelin Development Series – Round 1
1. Dylan LONG – KTM / Thor / Motorex / Michelin / One Industries: 25
2. Jacob WRIGHT – Honda Jnr Development Team: 22
3. Luke CLOUT – SS Racing / MX Rad / Pirelli / Fox / Link / Rockstar:20
4. Jake EMANUELLI – Doyle & Shields Yamaha Bairnsdale / Fox: 18
5. Blake BLACKWELL (NSW) / Blackwell Bros Earthmoving / Demolition/Building:16
6. Corey JAMES – Helmet Warehouse / Trevor Jordan M-c / Kawasaki: 15
7. Kurt WATERMAN – Spot On Racing / Bell / Troy Lee Designs / Dragon: 14
8. Meghan RUTLEDGE – Moss Institute / Southern Highlands M-c: 12
9. Tristen CACHIA – Loosekid / Rockstar / ABS Motorcycles / Scott / CTI: 11
10. Joel WIGHTMAN: 10
— Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing make solid start to Super X season
Despite only cementing its rider line-up less than a month ago, the Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing team have made a solid start to the 2010 Super X season with Dan Reardon, Todd Waters and Kade Mosig all finishing with top ten results at the opening round in Newcastle last night.
A minor overnight hiccup which saw the team’s transporter awning fall victim to Newcastle’s gusty winds failed to hamper race day preparations and all three riders progressed through practice and the qualifying heats to gate well for their respective finals.
Under the ‘Double Header’ race format, riders contested a pair of 12-lap races to make up the final.
Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing’s Daniel Reardon grabbed the first holeshot and held off fellow Honda mounted rider Chad Reed until half way through the race. Reardon went on to finish the race third with teammate Todd Waters also finishing within the top 10.
Both riders continued to prosper in the second 12-lap final, with solid points gains positioning them within the top six in the points standings.
While recording equal points for third place for Daniel Reardon was placed fourth under the countback system.
“It was a good solid start to season,” Reardon acknowledged.
“I suffered a little bit with grip but overall I am really happy with the way the bike worked.
“I have only been back on a Honda for three weeks and I am definitely starting to feel at home. I am looking forward to a bit more time on the bike ahead of Canberra,” he added.
Todd Waters also tied on points, with four riders all sitting on 27 points vying for sixth. Under the series rules he was awarded seventh.
“That was my best start to a Supercross season,” Waters admitted.
“My starts were strong but I know what I need to work on before the second round.
“I was happy with bike setup but I do need to work on quick line selection and aggression and I will be working on these before Canberra,” he said.
In the Lites class in what was his first ride back for the team in two years, Kade Mosig missed the podium by just one point.
The 20 year-old finished his races fifth and fourth respectively to finish the opening round of the season fourth overall.
“I came into tonight wanting to finish top five and went one better,” Mosig stated.
“That was my best start to a Supercross season so I definitely happy with my performance but I know I need to work on my aggression in the first few laps.
“I am looking forward to a solid week of riding,” he added.
Team Principal Yarrive Konsky said the team had achieved its goal of laying a strong foundation for the seven round series.
“I am extremely proud of the effort of all three riders,” Konsky said. “It was a solid performance considering the team came together with two new riders just three weeks ago.
“We came in wanting to lay a strong foundation and that is what we achieved.”
The Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing Team will continue their testing program ahead of next weekends event in Canberra.
— Villopoto out of SuperX
American supercross rider, Ryan Villopoto, has withdrawn from the Sydney and Brisbane Monster Energy Super X events due to length of recovery time from this year’s horrific leg injuries.
His US management confirmed today following a meeting with his race team, doctors and personal trainer that though his broken tibia and fibula are fully healed his lack of conditioning means he is not fit to race in the two Australian events on Saturday November 27 and Saturday December 4.
“I am really disappointed that I can no longer come to Australia to race in front of all of the supercross fans there and I apologise to any I have let down,” said Villopoto. “If I was fit to race I would be there in a heartbeat because I was genuinely so excited about checking out the country and competing there.”
Managing Director of Global Action Sports, Michael Porra, said the news highlighted is an unfortunate aspect of the tough sport of supercross, which takes such a physical toll on riders, but emphasised that Sydney and Brisbane fans are in for a real treat this year with the confirmation of more big name riders completing a lineup, which boasts the most depth in international talent that Australia has ever seen.
“We know that some fans will be disappointed by this news, but we have worked around the clock to secure a huge lineup of international riders to ensure fans at the Sydney and Brisbane Super X events are treated to the best and most competitive racing ever seen in Australia,” said Porra.
International riders now confirmed to compete in the two rounds are:
– Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda/Red Bull’s Ben Townley (NZ); Fourth overall in the 2010 AMA Pro Motocross Championship
– Valli Motorsports Yamaha’s Ivan Tedesco (USA); One of the world’s top 10 riders
Townley and Tedesco will join the two US riders who are competing in the whole series:
– Monster Energy / Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen (USA); 2008 and 2009 X Games Super X Champion (Competing in all rounds)
– Jagermeister KTM’s Mike Alessi (USA): Fifth overall in the 2010 AMA Pro Motocross Championship (Competing in all rounds)
They will compete against Australia’s greatest ever supercross rider and twice world champion, Chad Reed, as well as all of Australia’s best including Cougar Bourbon Thor Honda’s Dan Reardon, CDR Rockstar Yamaha’s Jay Marmont, Rockstar Motul Suzuki twins Matt and Jake Moss as well as young gun JDR Motorex KTM’s Tye Simmonds.
