The Yamaha Rising Star Rookies returned to the Motul MX Nationals yesterday, and there was a highly talented field of junior competitors who took to the track as the support class for the second time this year, with Yamaha’s very own Cody Dyce going undefeated across two races.
Press Release
With the track at Shepparton being one of the roughest and ruttiest circuits on the Motul MX Nationals calendar, the future stars of the sport rose to the occasion, putting on impressive performances in front of thousands of spectators.
When the 125cc two-stroke machines hit the track for their opening qualifying session yesterday, Western Australian KTM rider Caleb Grothues, who will head to Russia to represent Australia at the World Junior Titles later this month was quickest with a 1:49.562 lap time, while Callum Norton (Husqvarna) and Michael Driscoll (Yamaha) were second and third fastest on track.
The Yamaha Rising Star Rookies lined up for their first race of the day immediately after the lunch break yesterday, and were treated to a Shepparton circuit spilling with fans all cheering on the countries biggest motorcross stars.
When gates dropped, KTM’s Grothues showcased his unbelievable starting ability, taking the holeshot and moving in to the race lead ahead of Yamaha’s Dyce, and KTM’s Morgan Fogarty.
However, by lap three, fans were treated to a battle for the race lead – Grothues coming under fire from a hard charging Dyce, and before long Dyce had taken control of moto one.
With five minutes left on the clock for the Yamaha Rising Star Rookies, the running order continued to see Dyce leading the way from Grothues, while Fogarty remained in third position ahead of Rhys Budd (KTM) and Jye Roberts (Husqvarna) who were in fourth and fifth places respectively.
As race one reached it’s closing stages, there was less than a bikes length separating Dyce from Grothues – setting the remainder of the race up as a dash to the finish line.
But when the chequered flag flew it was Dyce who crossed the line with the race one victory by the smallest of margins, while Grothues finished in second, ahead of Fogarty in third.
Fourth place in race one was taken by Roberts, followed by Rhys Budd (Husqvarna) who completed the top five. Norton, Brodie Ellis, Jake Williams, Mason Semmens and Hayden Matterson all finished moto one inside the top ten.
In the final race of the day yesterday, once again Yamaha’s Dyce was determined to put on a show for spectators.
Dyce who will also head to Russia as part of Team Australia for the World Junior Motocross Titles in August, managed to hold off a hard charging Roberts, Riley Dukes and Fogarty despite a poor start, all the way to the finish line.
So when the chequered flag flew for the final time yesterday Dyce went undefeated at Shepparton – taking the final race win ahead of Roberts who wrapped up moto two in second, while Fogarty crossed the line in third.
Fourth and fifth places in race two yesterday were taken by Dukes and Norton respectively, while Driscoll, Williams, Budd, Semmens and Grothues all completed the top ten in moto two.
With 1,1 results yesterday, Dyce was awarded the Yamaha Rising Star Rookies round victory as well as the championship lead. Second place on the podium was taken by Fogarty, while Roberts collected third for the round.
“It’s awesome to go 1,1 today. The track was crazy out there,” Dyce shared.
“I got a bad start in that last one but I was able to come through the field from about 10th to first so it was a good day for me.
“I’m feeling really excited after today to head over to Russia to represent my country, so it will be good to get over there and see what I can do.”
Dyce now leads the Yamaha Rising Star Rookies championship by nine points with one round remaining.
Yamaha Rising Star Rookies Round 2 Results
1) Cody Dyce – 70 points
2) Morgan Fogarty – 60 points
3) Jy Roberts – 60 points
4) Caleb Grothues – 53 points
5) Callum Norton – 51 points
6) Rhys Budd – 49 points
7) Jake Williams – 47 points
8) Michael Driscoll – 45 points
9) Brodie Ellis – 44 points
10) Mason Semmens – 44 points
Yamaha Rising Star Rookies Championship Standings
1) Cody Dyce – 132 points
2) Caleb Grothues – 123 points
3) Callum Norton – 113 points
4) Jy Roberts – 102 points
5) Morgan Fogarty – 102 points
6) Brodie Ellis – 93 points
7) Mason Semmens – 88 points
8) Riley Dukes – 84 points
9) Jake Williams – 72 points
10) Jake Cobbin – 72 points
