Raceline Pirelli KTM’s Jay Wilson collected the team’s first Supercross podium of 2017 over the weekend, finishing in an outstanding third place in the SX2 class on day two of the Monster Energy AUS-X Open in Sydney.
The event which was host to a sold out crowd on Saturday and thousands of spectators again on Sunday was the only double header on the calendar this season, and Wilson as well as his teammate Morgan Fogarty utilised the opportunity to show Australia what they’re capable of.
On Saturday Wilson qualified in seventh on the indoor track, then took second in his heat race, immediately gaining entry into the SX2 final. When gates dropped on the first main event of the weekend, Wilson charged to a consistent fourth place, making up significant championship points.
But it was on Sunday that the real magic for Raceline Pirelli KTM and Wilson unfolded.
After qualifying in fourth and dropping close to a second off his lap time from the previous day, Wilson once again took second in his heat race and proceeded to the SX2 main event. Then, for 15 laps Wilson took on the best riders in the country before crossing the finish line in third – claiming his first podium finish in two years. Following the weekend’s event, Wilson now sits in third in the SX2 Championship standings with one round remaining.
“What an awesome weekend – we have worked so hard to get back to where we are, and to reward those who have supported me with a podium at the biggest event in the country is so special,” Wilson shared.
“I have had such a rollercoaster couple of years and I’m not going to lie there has been moments where I wasn’t sure if I deserved to be doing this, but we dug deep and I’m so proud that we stuck at it and got a result like this.
“A fourth and a third is solid, and it’s put me in a podium position for this championship. We still have one round to go, and anything can happen so we will keep working this weekend and try and finish this season on a high note.”
For Wilson’s teammate Fogarty, the AUS-X Open marked the very first indoor Supercross race of his career, and the Victorian 17-year-old proved that he’s more than capable of running with the best.
On Saturday Fogarty qualified in 14th position then took sixth in his heat race and fourth in the SX2 semi, forcing him into the LCQ. Unfortunately, despite being one of the fastest riders on track in the last chance qualifier, Fogarty narrowly missed entry to the main event after finishing in fifth.
However, on Sunday Fogarty lifted when it counted which eventually saw him line up alongside his teammate in the SX2 final later that afternoon. When gates dropped on the final Fogarty was determined to utilise the opportunity to learn – the Raceline rookie eventually concluding Sunday’s event in 12th.
“I’m stoked with how my first AUS-X Open went – I have always wanted to race this event and I’m really proud of what we achieved especially being my first indoor Supercross,” Fogarty shared.
“It was a shame that on Saturday night I wasn’t able to make it through to the main, but because I’m a rookie I ended up getting a lot of time on the track in the heats, semis’ and LCQ races so I just soaked it up and used the opportunity to learn as much as possible.
“On Sunday I got through to the main which was our goal for the weekend so I’m pumped. We have one round left and I really want to finish the season on a high.”
The 2017 Australian Supercross Championship will continue at Jimboomba in Queensland on Saturday November 18
To follow Raceline Pirelli KTM’s progress this year, like ‘Raceline’ on Facebook or follow @raceline_motosport on Instagram.