REIGNING MX1 class number-1 plate holder and Sussex Inlet local Matt Moss (Team Motul Suzuki) was a model of consistency at Broadford on Sunday to claim the overall win at the opening round of the 2014 Monster Energy MX Nationals.
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But it was not without challenge, as Matt went head to head with brother Jake for placing.
But Matt’s consistency paid off with the defending champion finishing second, first and third in his three races to finish just ahead of NPS Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Adam Monea and Motorex KTM’s Kirk Gibbs on the podium.
An opening race mishap had Jake Moss finish overall seventh.
“It was tough today, qualifying didn’t quite go to plan. The track was tough today – really holey and really kicky, just didn’t feel at home,” Matt Moss said.
“It was just one of those days where nothing really felt the best and we still came away with the win so it was a great start and only being two weeks since I have been back doing motocross, I feel really good.”
After rain fell steadily during practice and qualifying in the morning, the opening MX1 moto was greeted by beautiful sunshine.
A huge crowd gathered around the circuit to witness some enthralling early action when Jake Moss got one up on his brother by taking the holeshot and getting to an early lead.
But Matt was hot on his trail, and the early laps saw a tough battle for family.
However the family script was torn apart four laps into the opening race, when Jake dropped his bike coming down one of Broadford’s steep hills, leaving Matt nowhere to go but straight into him.
Fortunately both riders got to their feet and while Jake was out of the race, Matt re-entered in third spot over all.
Monea and DPH Motorsport Yamaha Racing pilot Kade Mosig shot into first and second respectively – a position that Monea held for the rest of the race.
Two laps after the incident, Matt Moss managed to pass Mosig, and finished the race in second place, while Mosig finished the race in fifth behind Gibbs and Mackenzie.
In the second race in the MX1 class, the racing intensified as both Gibbs and Jake Moss laid equal claims to the holeshot around the first corner.
It was short-lived however as Matt Moss stormed into the lead with a cunning passing move of both rivals on the second turn, leading the way ahead of Jake Moss, Gibbs, Monea, Billy Mckenzie and Mosig.
At the end of the opening lap, a mechanical issue saw Mackenzie head to the pit area before returning to the track and finishing in 12th for the race.
The rest of the race remained status quo with Matt Moss claiming the win from his brother Jake, with Gibbs, Monea and Mosig rounding out the top-five.
The third moto of the day in the MX1 class looked to be heading in a familiar direction when Matt Moss stormed into the lead and took the holeshot.
But half-way through the opening lap a slight mishap allowed Jake Moss and Monea to slide past and he was unable to catch up to them in the next 20 minutes of racing.
Jake Moss went on to take the race win, and with his second and first in the final two races, was left to rue the opening race mishap – leaving him in seventh position overall for the round.
The next round of the series will be held at Appin this weekend.
“The bike’s great and we are really looking forward to Appin the local round the following weekend – I just want to get out there and ride to my full potential,” Matt Moss said.