The first round of the Monster Energy Super X took place in Melbourne on Saturday evening in incredibly tough conditions with huge downpours throughout the day and night making the track extremely wet and slippery. JDR Motorex KTMs Tye Simmonds was the first victor in the Open class ahead of Brit abroad Billy MacKenzie and Simmondsā team-mate Matt Moss took out the Lites in a night that produced plenty of thrills and spills for the animated crowd at the Melbourne Knights Stadium.
Due to treacherous track conditions organisers were forced to change the final format to one 12-lap race in the Opens. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s MacKenzie took the holeshot with Simmonds second and Carlton Dry Thor Honda’s Cheyne Boyd third.
MacKenzie slid out on one of the corners halfway through the race allowing Simmonds to pass and take the win. MacKenzie held on for second and JDR Motorex KTM’s Ryan Marmont came third after passing Boyd. CDR Rockstar Yamaha riders Jay Marmont and Jake Moss both struggled in the wet and slippery conditions finishing eighth and 10th respectively.
“I am stoked to win my first race back in Australia after racing in the USA all year. It was tough out there tonight but I managed to have some fun and the team has had some great results tonight,” says Simmonds.
In the Lites class won by JDR Motorex KTM’s Matt Moss, Brit Steven Clarke finished sixth.
Round two of the Australasian Supercross Championship will take place at WIN Stadium in Wollongong next Saturday – October 29 – when Gordon Crockard will be joining Billy on the startline.
