The Yamalube Yamaha rider showed great consistency to secure the overall round victory.
By Hayden Gregory
Racing got underway in moto one with a holeshot to SD3 Husqvarna’s Kaleb Barham who held onto the lead through lap one ahead of Lochie Latimer and Wade Kirkland. A small mistake by Barham allowed Latimer to assume the top position while Evans also converted moving up into second position after a strong opening to the race.
In the closing stages Evans began to challenge Latimer for the lead while championship leader Connor Tierney also joined the party with less than a bikes length separating all three riders. Mitch Evans was able to make a statement heading into the final lap passing Latimer for the lead and going on to take the chequered flag in a grandstand finish. Latimer was able to hold Tierney off for second in one of the best races of his career.
The second moto started with a Yamaha 1-2 as Evans and Jordan Hill quickly assumed the lead positions. Barham started strongly again before being overtaken by Wade Kirkland for third. The running order continued for the majority of the race with Justin Hill holding out his Yamaha counterpart to prevent an Evans clean sweep.
A 1-2 for Evans ensured round victory however as he moves into sixth place for the championship.
“My starts let me down a little bit today, so I need to go back and work on them – I sort of made getting on the podium a bit difficult for myself (laughs),” he said.
“The track was very challenging out there, and everyone is riding well so we definitely worked hard for it, and I’m happy to finish the round on the top spot on the podium.
“My team make my job a lot easier, so I can’t thank those guys enough for their support today. It’s a good result to have both Jordan and myself up here so we really couldn’t be happier.”
Justin Hill scored second place for the round while Kirkland earned his first senior podium in third.
Championship leader Connor Tierney keeps a hold of the red leader’s plate despite a disappointing tenth in moto two and sixth for the round.
Pirelli MXD round three results
1) Mitchell Evans – 67 points
2) Jordan Hill – 61 points
3) Wade Kirkland – 58 points
4) Loshie Latimer– 56 points
5) Kaleb Barham – 51 points
6) Connor Tierney – 51 points
7) Cooper Pozniak – 50 points
8) Hugh McKay – 48 points
9) Zak Small – 47 points
10) Travis Silk – 40 points
Pirelli MXD Championship Standings
1) Connor Tierney – 185 points
2) Wade Kirkland – 169 points
3) Jordan Hill – 164 points
4) Cooper Pozniak – 162 points
5) Kaleb Barham – 158 points
6) Mitchell Evans – 157 points
7) Zak Small – 149 points
8) Lochie Latimer – 140 points
9) Hugh McKay – 112 points
10) Travis Silk – 109 points
