Tough track mixes up competition

THE second last round of the MX Nationals was held at Moree’s Boolooroo Raceway on Sunday, and the competition was fierce.

The tight and technical track saw a few riders come unstuck, including former series leader Luke Styke, who suffered a disastrous penultimate round. He entered the weekend with a 31-point advantage, but left with a deficit of 21. 

Styke was forced to settle for 13th overall after he suffered a non-finish in moto three. Earlier, he finished moto one in sixth despite a flat tyre and then finished 13th in moto two after stalling out of the start gates.

Locals Jesse Moore, Jack Sinclair and Nick Sutherland placed well in the weekend’s  event according to Moree Motocross president Rory Johnson.

Full results weren’t available as the Moree Champion went to print, but Johnson said he believed Sutherland was positioned about mid-pack after his efforts on Sunday.

Unfortunately, a 24-year-old rider suffered chest injuries after falling off his bike mid-air over the finishing tabletop. He was airlifted to Tamworth hospital.

However, the weekend was a great success for the Moree community, with talks the contract to host this national event will be extended by a further three years.

The Moree Motorcycle Club was praised for the efforts in hosting such a huge event.

Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Katrina Humphries said the event had been incredibly well organised and run, and $2 to $3 million had been generated for Moree.

“It was a capacity weekend for the tourism outlets and motels of Moree and the sportsmanship shown at the MX round was second to none,” Councillor Humphries said.

“I am terribly proud that Moree could host such an event.”

Johnson said the event was extremely well attended by spectators, numbers up on last year. 

“Everyone I spoke to commented on the positive presentation and organisation of the event,”  Johnson said.

“This was a challenging track and the results have really turned the competition upside down. The top five runners are now pretty close and the results after this weekend have changed leading into the Nationals.”

Johnson said the promoters of the event were equally impressed.

The final round of the MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, will take place next weekend at Coolum in Queensland.