Luke Clout sweeps ProMX Round Two in Canberra

2021 Australian ProMX Round Two Canberra

The 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores swept into Canberra over the weekend, marking Round Two of the series, with the Thor MX1, Pirelli MX2 and Maxxis MX3 joined by the bLU cRU YZ65 Cup for the first time in 2021.

The Thor MX1 class saw Luke Clout reign victorious, but Regan Duffy retains the red plate after a consistent performance for third overall, tied on 40-points with Hayden Mellross.

Kyle Webster was untouchable in the Pirelli MX2 class, adding another two wins to his tally and continuing his winning streak – now four from four for the season. Noah Ferguson was second overall, ahead of Jay Wilson.

Blake Fox went two for two in the Maxxis MX3 class, retaining the standings lead, with Ben Novak second overall and Ryder Kingsford third.

The early bLU cRU YZ65 Cup leader is Heath Davy, who took the win, but is tied on 47-points with Peter Wolfe.

Thor MX1

When the Thor MX1 kicked off Moto 1, CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Luke Clout and Honda Racing’s Brett Metcalfe were early leaders, with several passes back and forth before Clout solidified his hold on the lead.

From here, Clout began to check out, as Brett Metcalfe was shuffled back through the pack as first, Honda Racing’s Kirk Gibbs moved to second, before Husqvarna Racing’s Todd Waters made the pass on Gibbs to move to second position.

KTM Racing Team’s Regan Duffy also passed Gibbs, charging through from outside the top five to put pressure on Waters late in the moto. At the chequered flag, Clout would bring the race home from Waters in second, Duffy in third, Hayden Mellross in fourth and Kirk Gibbs completing the top-five.

In the first Thor MX1 Back 2 Back moto of the season, Luke Clout would waste no time in executing the 100% Holeshot award, before maintaining a moderate advantage from Regan Duffy as the pair fought for track position throughout the thirteen minute plus one lap moto. Behind the lead pair at the chequered flag, Hayden Mellross finished third, with Todd Waters fourth and Brett Metcalfe fifth.

The second Back 2 Back moto finished the day and Kirk Gibbs would lead from the gate drop with Luke Clout pressuring him constantly around the Canberra circuit.

Clout made a brief move to the lead but was answered by an aggressive pass by Gibbs, punting Clout off the track.

Hayden Mellross passed Regan Duffy at the half way point to move into third position and this order ran to the chequered flag with Kirk Gibbs taking the win from Clout, Mellross. Duffy and Waters rounded out the top five positions.

Luke Clout took the overall win in the Thor MX1 class at Canberra, from his team mate Hayden Mellross second overall. Thor MX1 championship leader and red plate holder Regan Duffy finished in third overall.

Regan Duffy

“Today was good, but I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t win, as that’s what I train for and that’s what we came here to do. However, you can’t go wrong with a podium and I’ve still got the red plate, so I’m stoked with that! I feel I made a lot of improvements in my riding on hard-pack surfaces, so that’s another positive to take away. A lot of rookies come out firing, get the red plate, then lose it straight away, so I made it a point to myself that I’m going to try and keep it. I had a consistent day and finished top five in all my motos, so I want to continue that through the year. Today I tried hard to get good starts and battle up front, so it’s been a solid day.”

Thor MX1 Results

Pirelli MX2

In the opening Pirelli MX2 moto Kyle Webster rocketed out of the gate on his Honda Racing CRF250R and was never challenged, winning by a comfortable margin at the chequered flag.

Behind Webster, a fierce battle ensued for the remaining podium spots as Noah Ferguson would start second and show great speed, battling with the Yamaha trio of Rhys Budd, Jay Wilson and Alex Larwood.

Yamalube Yamaha’s Jay Wilson executed a pass at the mid-point of the moto on GasGas Australia’s Noah Ferguson, while in the same turn an ill fated pass attempt by Larwood on the WBR Yamaha would see him and Yamalube Yamaha’s Rhys Budd collide and fall from podium contention.

At the finish Webster took the win, from Wilson and Ferguson. Dylan Wills rode to an impressive fourth with Rhys Budd charging back to fifth after his mid moto collision with Larwood.

Noah Ferguson took the SEVEN holeshot award in moto two, as Kyle Webster fought his way into the lead on lap 3.

From there, Webster did not look back, logging clean laps and pulling clear of Serco Yamaha’s Nathan Crawford who rebounded from a moto 1 DNF to finish second. Ferguson rounded out the podium spots in moto two, with Rhys Budd fourth and Serco Yamaha’s Jesse Dobson completing the top five.

The overall Pirelli MX2 podium for Round 2 saw Kyle Webster maintain his perfect season, winning from Noah Ferguson while Jay Wilson rounding out the podium.

Pirelli MX2 Results

Maxxis MX3

In the opening moto it was a contrast of first laps for the two riders who split race wins at Round 1. GYTR Yamaha Junior racing team’s Ryder Kingsford was up front early in lap one, as GasGas Australia’s Blake Fox found himself outside of the top ten.

However Fox would carve through the field to take the lead early in lap 2, as a mistake saw Kingsford drop back to eighth.

Early leader Rory Fairbrother would run second battling with Hunter Collins early, before Honda Racing’s Ben Novak moved to second with Kingsford finding his way back to third.

In the final lap, Blake Fox cruised home to take the win, as Kingsford made one last charge for second on Novak, but a mistake saw him fall from the podium. Novak was then clear for second with Genuine Honda’s Ty Kean claiming third, ahead of Jack Mather and Ryder Kingsford.

In moto two, KTM mounted youngster Connor Towill led early and fought off the competition until the mid way point, where he would be shuffled back by Blake Fox who took the lead, followed by Ryder Kingsford in second and Ben Novak in third.

The trio maintained track position from this point on, with Fox bringing it home to sweep the day in Maxxis MX3 with two moto wins and a perfect moto score for the day.

Blake Fox took the overall Maxxis MX3 class win for Canberra, with Ben Novak second and Ryder Kingsford third.

Blake Fox now takes the championship lead and the coveted red plate heading into Gillman, SA for Round 3.

Maxxis MX3 Results

bLU cRU YZ65 Cup

The bLU cRU YZ65 Cup blasted into action in Canberra, with twenty of the next generation of ProMX superstars on the line chasing their racing dreams thanks to Yamaha Motor Australia.

After spending Saturday among Yamaha’s factory racing teams, taking the track walk and numerous activities it was time for racing.

In moto 1, Peter Wolfe dominated proceedings, entertaining the crowds clearing the numerous big jumps across the Canberra circuit, winning from Heath Davy and Paddy Lewis, while Cooper Bowman and Dejan Snakovic completed the top five.

In Moto 2, Heath Davy took charge, taking the victory and with it the overall win, ahead of Peter Wolfe in second and Dejan Snakovic in third.

The standings see current standings leader Davy on an equal 47-points to Peter Wolfe, while third placed Paddy Lewis holds 38-points, just two in front of Dejan Sankovic.

The bLU cRU YZ65 Cup will next compete at Maitland for Round 4 of the Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores, skipping Round 3 at Gillman, South Australia.

bLU cRU YZ65 Cup Results

2021 Penrite ProMX Championship Calendar