The CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team rebounded impressively from a slow start to the Australian Supercross Championship in Adelaide, with a strong performance at round two of the series at Newcastle with Josh Hill and Luke Clout finishing second and third on the night.
With a 16,000 strong crowd in attendance at McDonald Jones Stadium and a perfect night for racing, the CDR Yamaha team were out to get things back on track after a disappointing opening round in Adelaide four weeks ago.To view the CDR Yamaha bLU cRU round review: https://youtu.be/yj0ISNfNaWU
It was left to Hill and Clout to fly the CDR Yamaha flag as Aaron Tanti recovers from a nasty fall at the World Supercross round in Abu Dhabi last weekend. Tanti sustained some rib damage and also some internal issues that required him to stay in hospital while his injuries stabilised but is now on the road to recovery and due back in Australia later this week.
The Newcastle round saw the triple crown format and to put even more priority on the round, every one of the three, ten lap races counted for championship points. It was a round to make or break your claim at the title.
US Import, Josh Hill, put together a consistent night of racing to finish the round with a second-place finish on the back of his 3-5-2 results. His starts were off all night, but Hill is a hustler and found his way forward in every moto with quick and concise passes. He had a fall in race two which dropped him back down the field but overall, it was a solid night for the likeable Hill and now takes him to second place in the championship with one round two go.
“Things were pretty wild out there and there was a lot going on in those first few laps,” Hill said at the end of racing. “My starts were terrible, and I was always stuck in the chaos on the first lap so I just had to pick my way through and make passes where I could.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t until the final race where I came out of the first lap that I was able to see the leaders and make a charge at the front.
“But, overall, I’m happy with how the night went and it was good to see a big crowd turn up to watch the racing and I hope everyone enjoyed the night, “Hill ends.
Luke Clout had an eventful night but was able to battle through and finish third with his 4-3-5 results. Where Hill managed to dodge the chaos, Clout regularly found himself in it and as a result, on the ground.
But he dusted himself off each time and charged through to the end to reward himself and the team with a podium and a 2-3 result on the night.
“I think that was the slipperiest track I have ever raced. The dirt was so hard and then with a bit of water, it was really easy to lose traction and override it. You had to stay as calm as possible and be gentle on the throttle which is the opposite to how I usually ride.
“Starts were important tonight and mine weren’t great. The last one I locked handlebars with Brayton going into the first turn and he went down which was unfortunate, but every rider knew they needed a good start here.
“It’s nice to be back up on the podium as it’s been a while for me and good for my confidence heading into the final round in Melbourne in two weeks. The team did a great job with the bike and let’s go for the top of the box at the final round,” Clout offers.
The third and final round of the Australian Supercross Championship hits Marvel Stadium on November 24.