CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Hayden Mellross insists there’s ‘more to come’ after claiming his first podium since July 2019, his runner-up result at Canberra’s second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship coming as a huge relief to the number 45.

Mellross was in title contention during the 2019 season before a knee injury at the closing rounds ruled him out of supercross that year, and along with racing being cancelled altogether in 2020, it meant the New South Welshman went almost two years without experiencing podium success at a national level.

The 25-year-old, who grew up in Goulbourn near Canberra, put on an impressive display in front of a home crowd as he charged to fourth in the opening encounter, however he really came into his own during the pair of back-to-back 13-minute plus one-lap motos, where he went 3-3 for second overall.

“It’s been too long since I stood on a podium at a national event,” said a relieved Mellross. “With Covid and injuries, it’s been a long time between podium visits, so I’m glad to finally get back up here and reward myself and the team for the hard work we have all put in behind the scenes.

“Today was an improvement on Wonthaggi as my speed was better. My starts weren’t what they needed to be, but I will work on that and hopefully put myself in better positions to win races at the next round.

“The more racing I’m able to do, the better I feel as I missed a large chunk of the pre-season with injury. I feel there is still more to come and think there is room for improvement as we head into Adelaide.”

The runner-up result promoted Mellross to third in the championship standings, one position ahead of team-mate and Canberra overall winner Luke Clout (Monster Energy CDR Yamaha).

A pair of third-place results amounted to a career-first MX2 podium for rookie Noah Ferguson, the GasGas-mounted rider experiencing a turnaround performance at Canberra’s second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship on Sunday.

The youthful Queenslander endured a challenging opening round last month in victoria, mustering up just 10 championship points with a 13-DNF scorecard.

It was a drastic turnaround in the ACT for Ferguson, who after claiming an impressive second overall result, suggested an anticipated maiden podium would come further along in the series after his difficult start to the championship.

“I’m pretty pumped with my first P2 in MX2, which was only my second race in that category,” Ferguson told MotoOnline.com.au. “The podium hasn’t surprised me – it was always the goal and the intention to be on the podium, but after round one, it was more of a doubt.

“I knew that’s where I needed to be, and it was a bit of a breakthrough ride to be on the podium so early. I’m always driving to be better – I’ll just take it week by week, and try to get better and be more consistent – that’s been the biggest downfall in my years of racing. I’d say it’s flipped a few goals around.”

The breakthrough result now sees Ferguson ranked seventh in the MX2 championship standings as ProMX visits South Australia for the next stop on the calendar, scheduled for 30 May.

Defending Australian MX1 champion Todd Waters was satisfied to take away a consistent points haul at Canberra’s second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship, admitting he rode within his capabilities to secure fourth overall.

Waters displayed strong form during early proceedings in the ACT, setting the second-fastest time in qualifying before finishing runner-up in the opening moto, which saw the number one put in comeback performance after dropping outside the top five.

Track conditions significantly deteriorated in the back half of the day, with the Canberra circuit becoming incredibly slick and dusty. It led the Husqvarna Racing Team rider to take a cautious approach in the new back-to-back sprint format – the first of 2021 – where he rode within his limits to 4-5 results, finishing two points shy of the overall podium.

“It was an interesting day out there,” Waters explained. “I qualified well and had a good first race, but the track baked out before the back-to-back races and I struggled with that hard-pack.

“It was an easy track to throw it away on and, with everyone being so close, I didn’t want that to happen. I rode within my capabilities and I’m happy to walk away with the points today – it’s certainly a lot better than crashing and getting 10ths. We might have lost a few points in the championship, but we’ll go back, regroup and look forward to Gillman.”

The Queenslander remains second in the championship standings, seven points down on red-plate holder and MX1 rookie Regan Duffy (KTM Racing Team) as the series returns to action on 30 May at Gillman in South Australia.

GasGas racer Blake Fox has taken over the Maxxis MX3 championship lead with a decisive 1-1 performance at the second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship at Canberra, ACT.

Fox held a lead from start to the finish in the opening race, as he held off Ben Novak (Honda) and Thynan Kean (Honda) to win by 11 seconds.

Jack Mather crossed the line in fourth, ahead of former series leader Ryder Kingsford (Yamaha), who experienced two separate crashes on his way to a fifth place race result.

In the second MX3 outing, Kingsford grabbed the holeshot and looked to capitalise as Fox dropped his bike on the opening lap.

Fox quickly worked his way back into contention and passed Kingsford for the lead, eventually finishing with a three-second lead over the Yamaha rider, with Novak finishing in third. Connor Towill (KTM) and Seth Burchell (Yamaha) completed the top five.

Fox’s performance saw him finish the day on top of the box and with the championship-leading red plate, while Novak and Kingsford rounded out the podium. Jack Mather (Husqvarna) and Kean completed the top five for the day.

Fox now leads the championship with 97 points, ahead of Kingsford (85) and Novak (75).

In the bLU cRU YZ65 Cup, Heath Davy won the day on countback from Peter Wolfe, with the two youngsters trading wins and runner-up positions in the support class.

Paddy Lewis finished third overall on the day with a 3-4 result, ahead of Dejan Sankovic (5-3) and Cooper Bowman (4-6).

The third round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship will be held at Gillman, SA on May 30.

Image: Foremost Media

Yamaha racers Luke Clout and Rhys Budd have put themselves in the box seat for the second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship at Canberra, ACT, after qualifying the fastest in the two premier classes.

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Racing’s Luke Clout qualified the fastest in the Thor MX1 Top 10 shootout. Clout, Todd Waters (Husqvarna Racing Team) and Kirk Gibbs ( Terrafirma Equipment Sales Honda) all posted lap times in the 1:31 mark around the fast, hard-pack circuit.

Red plate holder Regan Duffy (KTM Racing Team) and GasGas Racing Team’s Aaron Tanti rounded out the top five.

Hayden Mellross (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Racing Team), Brett Metcalfe (Mongrel Boots Honda Racing), Maximus Purvis (WBR Bulk Nutrients Racing), Jai Walker (Honda) and Matt Moss (102 Motorsports Yamaha) filled the remaining positions in the top 10.

Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Rhys Budd set the pace early in Pirelli MX2 qualifying and was never headed after setting a scorching time of 1:28.968 – the only rider of the field to drop below the 1:30 mark.

Delcon Civil Honda’s championship leader Kyle Webster finished qualified second-fastest, narrowly ahead of Queenslander Noah Ferguson (GasGas).

Alex Larwood (WBR Yamaha Bulk Nutrients Racing) and Jace Cosford (Yamaha) completed the top five.

Positions sixth through to 10^th were filled by Levi Rogers (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), Jesse Dobson (Serco Yamaha), Jay Wilson (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), Nathan Crawford (Serco Yamaha) and Liam Andrews (WBR Yamaha Bulk Nutrients Racing).

Image: Supplied.

The Honda Racing CRF250R of MX2 red plate-holder Kyle Webster will wear a Castrol livery this weekend in Canberra as part of a rotating commercial package.

Webster’s bike was in Delcon Civil branding at Wonthaggi’s opening round when he completed the double to open the 2021 season, now adopting the iconic Castrol Honda colours.

“Honda has had great success with Castrol in motorcycle racing for a very long time and I am proud to carry on that tradition with my Castrol CRF250R,” Webster commented.

Honda Racing team director Yarrive Konsky added: “Castrol’s global success is unmatched in motorsport and they have achieved local and international success with Honda, so it was a no brainer partnership. Plus, we believe in their product – that’s the key.”

For Castrol national motorcycle brand manager Duncan Hale, the opportunity to align with Honda Racing and Webster with an increased presence for round two of the ProMX Championship was an ideal one.

“Castrol is a proven product in MotoGP, motocross and supercross, as well as in F1,” Hale stated. “The strategic alignment with the factory Honda Racing team in Australia is important to Castrol. It gives our range credibility, especially if Honda chooses to use it in their factory motorcycles.”

While Webster’s entry has moved across to Castrol for this weekend, Brett Metcalfe will maintain Mongrel Boots and Kirk Gibbs Terrafirma Equipment Sales in Honda Racing’s MX1 program.