Despite a crash in the first turn of the main event, Luke Clout has finished on the podium at the opening round of the Australian Supercross Championship in Jimboomba, QLD. SX2 import Dakota Alix ended up sixth.
Setting the third fastest time in qualifying aboard the new 2019 KTM 450 SX-F, New South Welshman Clout was on the pace from the get-go. He translated his fast-time into a second place finish in his heat, which came after leading the outing for majority of the duration.
A critical mistake at turn one in the SX1 main event meant the number four would be forced to navigate his way
through the field. In what was an inspiring ride, he picked off riders one by one to ultimately finish in third while establishing himself a serious threat in the premier class.
Youthful American Alix displayed promising potential as he adapts to his new surrounds, however a fall during qualifying hindered him throughout the day. Despite the setback, he salvaged seventh in his heat before persevering in the main to be credited sixth, granting him a solid building base for the season.
The KTM Motocross Racing Team will be out on track next for round two of the Australian Supercross Championship, scheduled for 6 October at Coolum in Queensland.
Jay Marmont – Team Manager: “Luke was riding great all day – he was third in qualifying, led all of his heat race until the last lap, while in the final he crashed in the first turn and gritted his way for 20 laps and got back to third pretty comfortably. Dakota started off with a crash earlier in the day, but he was working his way through the main for sixth, which is a really good base to start from. We’ve got two guys who could be battling for a championship, so it’s exciting.”
Luke Clout – KTM 450 SX-F: “I felt really good all day. I was a little tight in practice, but I spoke with the team and they reassured me that my riding was good. From that talk, I felt I was riding well all day. We didn’t make any changes at all, so the testing we’ve done has been really incredible. I knew it was a short championship, so that motivated me to get back as high as I could in the main event after the mistake.”
Dakota Alix – KTM 250 SX-F: “It was a challenging day – I felt good in the first practice and felt comfortable, but I had a pretty good crash in qualifying and kind of got banged up in that. I regrouped for the main and had a pretty good first couple of laps before settling in. I salvaged a sixth, which is something to build off of, and now I know what to expect for the next race. I can’t thank the team enough for working so hard.”
Australian Supercross Championship Rd1 Jimboomba results:
SX1:
1.Justin Brayton 25
2.Brett Metcalfe 22
3.Luke Clout 20
4.Dan Reardon 18
5.Jace Owen 16
SX2:
1.Jay Wilson 25
2.Bradley Taft 22
3.Josh Osby 20
4.Hayden Mellross 18
5.Jacob Hayes 16
6.Dakota Alix 15
Australian Supercross Championship standings:
SX1:
1.Justin Brayton 25
2.Brett Metcalfe 22
3.Luke Clout 20
4.Dan Reardon 18
5.Jace Owen 16
SX2:
1.Jay Wilson 25
2.Bradley Taft 22
3.Josh Osby 20
4.Hayden Mellross 18
5.Jacob Hayes 16
6.Dakota Alix (KTM) 15