KTM rider Caleb Ward has shot back to the top of the blocks with an impressive display at Murray Bridge.
By Hayden Gregory
As gates dropped on MX2 racing, Ward collected the first holeshot of the round before Nathan Crawford found himself in the race lead. A nasty crash on the opening turn left Serco Yamaha’s Wade Hunter in the hands of Racesafe officials; other riders lucky to escape the carnage.
Crawford, Ward, Jayden Rykers and Jed Beaton began to take a hold on the pack stretching away in an exciting tussle for lead positions. Ward began to close in on Crawford and made the winning pass on lap six, making it stick and stretching away to take the moto win.
Crawford suffered from a late moto crash to drop one position and finish third while red plate holder Beaton took advantage to claim second.
In moto two, Jake Moss scored the holeshot just ahead of front runners Crawford and Ward. The trio circled for the first three laps before Ward decided to put his foot down. He first stalked Crawford for a lap before making a pass and setting his sights on Moss. Less than a minute later he had the race lead and was not looking back.
Crawford also made his move on Moss while Beaton made a late charge for a podium finish. The DPH Motorsports rider made it all the way onto Moss’ rear tyre but couldn’t make the defining pass.
A perfect round for Ward alleviates some pressure incurred from a disastrous round three as he climbs back into fourth position, 20 points of the championship lead.
“It was an awesome day – I was feeling really motivated after the bad luck at the last round, and just did everything I could in the last three weeks to train hard and it’s worked out well,” he said.
“The only way I can get as close as I can to the championship lead is to keep getting race wins so that’s the goal every weekend.
“Everyone is riding very well so I’m just going to keep plugging away and doing my best every time we go racing.”
Jed Beaton finished third for the round and holds a slim one point championship lead over runner up Nathan Crawford.
The Motul MX Nationals will head to Wanneroo in Western Australia on May 28 and 29.
Motul MX2 round four results
1) Caleb Ward – 70 points
2) Nathan Crawford – 62 points
3) Jed Beaton – 60 points
4) Jake Moss – 55 points
5) Wilson Todd – 50 points
6) Dean Porter – 49 points
7) Dylan Wills – 49 points
8) Jayden Rykers – 44 points
9) Joel Wightman – 42 points
10) Richie Evans – 41 points
Motul MX2 Championship Standings
1) Jed Beaton – 232 points
2) Nathan Crawford – 231 points
3) Jake Moss – 216 points
4) Caleb Ward – 212 points
5) Wilson Todd – 198 points
6) Jayden Rykers – 188 points
7) Kyle Webster – 174 points
8) Dylan Wills – 173 points
9) Richie Evans – 162 points
10) Hamish Harwood – 161 points
