Monday, 15 March 2010 09:29
KTM team rider Toby Price made the most of his debut claiming overall honours. Pic: Luke de Graaf
The Motorex KTM off-road team kicked off the year with an impressive display of dominance in challenging wet and muddy conditions at the first and second rounds of the Australian Off-Road Championships held at Port Macquarie, NSW, over the weekend. Toby Price, riding a KTM450EXC won the E2 class and overall, while his team mates Jarrod Bewley, E1 (KTM 250EXC-F), and Ben Grabham, E3 (KTM 530EXC), won their classes and finish second and fifth outright.
On their performances the riders said:
Jarrod Bewley – Pro E1 class “I had my best start in any cross country at round one of the AORC series, and I was leading by around 20 seconds,” said Bewley. “Early in the race an unfortunate crash into a fence lost me a minute forty, and after detangling myself I re-entered the race in around seventh position. I tried to get up a good pace for the rest of the race, and managed to catch up to third placed Stefan Merriman by the last lap. I tried to make a pass, but was unable to get by and finished three seconds behind him for fourth.
“For the sprint format at round two, I had a good day winning the E1 class by over 35 seconds, and I felt great on the bike. Outright I was second to my team mate, Toby Price, and I enjoyed some good battles with Daniel Milner and Ben Burrell, who were both riding really well.”
Toby Price – Pro E2 class “The opening two rounds went really great,” said Price. “To come away with two wins is a dream result, and the best way to start the season. “A big shout-out goes to the boys in the Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing camp who kept me getting around the extremely muddy conditions - it was tough going out there.
“The Cross Country format at round one would have been the most challenging in the mud and wet, making the bike heavy to get around the track. I was third on the first lap, and then moved into second by lap two. Half way around the second lap, my team mate Jarrod Bewley had an unfortunate crash which handed me the lead. From there I checked out, and led until the chequered flag.
“For round two we did seven sprint races all up. I had consistent lap times, and was positioned between 4-5 seconds a lap quicker than the competition, which placed me well for another win. It wasn’t an easy feat though, my KTM team mate, Jarrod Bewley kept me honest, and he will be stiff competition as the series continues, as will Stefan Merriman who was probably disappointed in his results for the opening two rounds, so he will no doubt come back stronger at the next rounds.”
Ben Grabham – Pro E3 class “I knew it was going to be tough going in the wet conditions at Port Macquarie, especially after the parade lap, when the bikes were all very heavy in the mud,” said Grabham. “In the Cross Country format I was in the top five and kept soldiering through. By the last lap I was on Toby Price’s back wheel just as he crossed the finish line. I always seem better at the longer race formats, it suits my style of riding, which is more accustomed to longer rally or desert style races.
“I had a good ride in the sprint format for round two, winning my class and really enjoying the bike on the track. The team results were rewarding for us all, and we leave the opening two rounds with a 1-2-3 outright position, which is a great confidence booster to us all.”
Brad Williscroft, team manager of the KTM off-road team was more than stoked with his riders, saying:
“I couldn’t be happier with Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing’s results at the opening two rounds of the AROC, we now lead all classes, and hold the top three positions outright,” said Williscroft. “That’s a clean sweep, what more could I ask for out of the racers.
“Each of our riders is to be commended for their commitment to the team, and their commitment to training. They’re all taking part in Stephen Gall’s cardio program conducted by Tim Cole, who is working closely with each rider.
“We have done a lot of pre season testing with suspension, and it really paid off for the boys this weekend. It was a great team effort, particularly from our mechanics who were burning the midnight oil on Saturday night preparing the bikes, so they would be 100 percent for the next days racing.
“I also commend the awesome support from team sponsors who have helped us achieve fantastic results for the series opener.”
Full results
www.aorcracing.com.au
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