Craig Dack – CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team – MX1
2nd – Luke Clout
4th – Kirk Gibbs
“We enter every championship with the view to win it and that’s part of the DNA at CDR. We are competitive beasts and always will be. This year we weren’t able to get it done but were up to our necks in the championship right until the final moto.
“Luke showed immense improvement this year and learned a lot of his riding, training and being in a championship at the highest level. He is along way from hitting his ceiling and we believe there is more success in store for Luke in the future.
“It was an interesting championship in that none of the riders took the series by the scruff of the neck and controlled it. I said to our riders often during the year that the rider who makes the least mistakes will win it and it seemed we just made one too many.”
“For Kirk, he missed four races due to injury. If he completes those, then he is right in the heat of the battle in the championship at the final round, but part of the sport is making it through the season healthy.
“We took on two new riders this year and it takes time to get both settled and in tune with the CDR way. We kept in the fight and challenged all the way to the end, and I think we are a better team for it.
“We will be back next year stronger and faster then before and ready to get back on top again.”
Gavin Eales – Serco Yamaha – MX2
4th – Nathan Crawford
5th – Aaron Tanti
“The competition in the MX2 class was as good as its ever been and the top five riders were certainly a step above the rest of the field. On any given round or race, any one of the top five could have taken a win and it was some intense racing all the way until the end.
“Nathan basically had no pre-season due to his injuries and only started riding again just three weeks before round one. It was always going to take time for him to get back not just full strength and health but also the confidence needed to race at the top level.
“He stuck to it and by the time the last half of the championship got under way he was back where he needed to be and was in contention every time he hit the track. Winning a race at Maitland was important for him and then the round victory at Moree was just what he needed.
“Aaron had a season that was frustrating for him. On several occasions he would tie on points and miss the podium or come up just one point shy of winning. But to his credit he never stopped working hard, never stopped trying to improve and even the final two rounds at Coolum were a far more competitive outing for him over previous years.
“He is great to work with and I think that this motocross season will motivate him for the supercross and we expect him to come out swing when that gets under way.”
Scott Bishop – Yamalube Yamaha Racing – MX1 / MX2
3rd – Jay Wilson – MX2
7th – Richie Evans – MX1
“Having a rider in each class makes for a pretty busy day at the track and it’s the first time we have had to do it, so there was a lot to learn on and off the track. Both riders showed plenty of heart throughout the year and in the end finished up with results they can be proud of.
“Richie had a lot of momentum going before the opening round, but he experienced a range of issues in the opening three rounds that put him behind the eight ball. It wasn’t until Murray bridge where he started to get his mojo back.
“He is a talented rider with great technique and for a first year in the MX1 class, he did a good job. There were highs and lows like most athletes in that situation, but I think he proved when he is on, he has the speed to run inside the top five.
“For Jay, he had some health issues behind the scenes and didn’t get the riding or training in he would have liked throughout the championship but you would never know that watching him race. On the track he fights for every position he can and never gives in. In fact, when things are really up against him, that’s when he is at his best.
“Third is an improvement on his result last year but he was a lot closer to the front and a lot more consistent this year. He had seven podiums and three fourths for the year in a rock solid performance.”
Travis Whitten – WBR Yamaha – MXD
2nd – Max Purvis
12th – Jack Kukas
“Backing up our 2018 season was always going to be tough as going 1-2 in a championship is rare at any level. But the boys all put in and to finish second with Max is a good result.
“This was the first time we have worked with Max and being based in NZ can sometimes makes things tricky, but he always gives 100% on the track and showed he had the speed to match anyone in the MXD class. Unfortunately, a couple of crashes and some bad starts at crucial times were the difference between winning and losing this year as Regan and himself were a bit above the rest at a lot of rounds.
“It was his last year in MXD and he was desperate to win it, but it wasn’t to be.
“With Jack, he came into the season carrying a knee injury he sustained at the very start of the year and was playing catch up the entire season. Just when he started to get up to speed, he would get another injury or niggle that kept him below his best.
“He kept trying to fight it and it seemed every step forward was met with another step back. Then he had that big crash at Moree and was forced to sit out the final two rounds. I could see how frustrated he was and maybe the break between now and supercross will give his body and chance to freshen up and get back on top of his health.”
