Dale Keeps MX2 Title Fight Alive with Appin Round Win

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing experienced both ends of the spectrum at today’s eighth round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals at Appin’s Macarthur Motocross Complex.

Ford Dale won two races on his way to overall victory in the MX2 class but bad luck foiled teammate Brad Anderson’s charge. The Brit sustained a twisted ankle after coming together with another competitor in the second MX1 moto.

A small crash in the opening MX2 moto dropped Dale to the rear of the field. The Honda rider fought his way back up the order to finish in the top ten. He got a reasonable start in the second race and steadily worked his way to the front, passing Kade Mosig for the race lead on the last lap.

In the final 30 minute challenge Dale got another good start and progressively moved towards the front, before taking control of the moto mid race.
“It is great to come away with a couple of race wins and the overall,” Dale said. “It really sets me up for the final two events.

“I was clipped by another rider in the opening race and had to fight my way back through, but everything seemed to fall into place for me in the final two races.

After taking his fourth consecutive podium Ford Dale continues to sit second in the MX2 championship standings, trailing Luke Styke by 31 points with two rounds remaining.

“I lost too many points at the start of the season so it is good to be consistent now we are at the pointy end of the championship,” he concluded.

Brad Anderson holeshot the opening MX1 race but a mistake on Lap 1 saw him drop through the order.  After catching the frontrunners Anderson finished the race third.

The Honda rider held the lead off the start in the second moto but was forced out of the race after twisting his ankle when he came together with another rider mid jump.

After being examined by Racesafe and with his ankle heavily strapped, Anderson courageously lined up for the final 30 minute moto, which he finished ninth.

“I felt great and I was so comfortable on the bike today I just can’t believe my bad luck,” Anderson lamented.

“It felt like I had torn something but Racesafe examined my ankle and strapped it so I could contest the final race.

“I had limited movement and ninth was definitely not my best race finish but it could have been a lot worse. I wanted to make sure I came away with some points from that race,” he continued.

The Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing rider who finshed the round tenth has dropped to fourth in the MX1 championship standings. Anderson will undergo extensive physiotherapy to ensure he is fully fit for the penultimate round of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals at at Moree in New South Wales on Sunday, 19 August.

2012 Monster Energy MX 2 Rd 8 Results – Appin, NSW

1. Ford Dale 61
2. Josh Cachia 61
3. Kade Mosig 58
4. Luke Styke 56
5. Adam Monea 47
6. Cheyne Boyd 47
7. Kirk Gibbs 46
8. Scott Columb 37
9. Keiron Hall 36
10. Geran Stapleton 26

2012 MX2 Championship Standings (after Rd 8 of 10)

1. Luke Styke 477

2. Ford Dale 446
3. Josh Cachia 429

4. Kade Mosig 395

5. Adam Monea 374
6. Cheyne Boyd 366

7. Kirk Gibbs 347
8. Scott Columb 286

9. Justin McDonald 282

10. Lewis Woods 255

2012 Monster Energy MX1 Rd 8 Results – Appin, NSW

1. Josh Coppins 65
2. Todd Waters 61
3. Jake Moss 56
4. Cody Cooper 52
5. Daniel Reardon 51
6. Lawson Bopping 45
7. Dean Porter 40
8. Billy Mackenzie 38
9. Jay Marmont 34
10. Brad Anderson 32

2012 Monster Energy MX1 Championship Standings (after Rd 8 of 10)

1. Josh Coppins 480
2. Todd Waters 468
3. Lawson Bopping 420
4. Brad Anderson 412
5. Cody Cooper 388
6. Jake Moss 311

7. Jay Marmont 288

8. Daniel Reardon 278

9. Dean Porter 257
10. Daniel McCoy 249

         
Ford Dale on his way to victory       Ford Dale on the Appin podium       Brad Anderson in action in the MX1 class