Round 2 of the Victorian Junior MX Titles were held at the Maffra/Sale Motorcycle Club over the weekend in conditions that may well have been perfect for riders but not necessarily spectators as icy cold winds and occasional showers made their way through Gippsland.
Track conditions were phenomenal with some great battles to be seen throughout the two days of racing. The weekend got off to a great start on Saturday for the BCP Pro Circuit Honda Junior Development Team as Madi Healey stormed to victory in all three of her championship races on board her Honda CRF250R machine, crossing the line over 30 seconds ahead of her closest competitor in each of her events. This makes it six wins in a row for Healey as she extends her championship lead to 24 points over NSW rider Jayde Dudley with two rounds remaining in the championship.
“I didn’t feel that great in timed qualifying to tell the truth,” said Healey.
“But we managed to put it on pole and I felt so much better once the gate dropped for moto one. There’s a few little things that I’ve been working on with Lee (Hogan) and every now and then I forget about it when I’m sprinting and it makes so much difference, so I need to keep on top of that. I’m so happy to keep the win streak going and we are just taking it one race at a time while trying to iron out these little things. It’s a work in progress but an exciting time because we’re taking some serious steps forward. I’m really looking forward to the remainder of the season,” continued Healey.
It was the boys turn on Sunday as the A grade 250cc class took to the track in what was one of the most hotly contested classes of the weekend.
BCP Pro Circuit Honda Junior Team rider Benny Novak set the second fastest time in qualifying before scoring himself a solid fourth overall on the day after fighting his way through the pack from outside the top 20 in two out of the three races. His fourth place on the day moved himself up one spot to third place in the championship chase.
“I’m happy with my riding but I’m so sick of carrying injuries at the moment and not being able to ride 100%,” said Novak.
“I was feeling really good a couple of weeks ago and starting to get back to my best when I had a big practice crash. I hurt my wrist and was only able to get back onto the bike for the first time yesterday. Its all part of it though and I’m just looking forward to having a good run leading into the next round. My CRF250R is working awesome and I know what I need to work on.”
Novak’s team mate Dominic Walker found some good form at Round 2 of the Victorian Junior Titles, running up in the top 5 for most of the day before finishing a credible 6th place overall in the A grade 250cc class.
“It was good to battle near the pointy end of the field today,” said Walker.
“I know I can run that pace and it feels great to be up there. Good starts make such a difference and I’m going to keep working hard on my fitness so I can charge as hard as I can all the way to the chequered flag.”
Round 3 of the Victorian Junior MX Titles heads next to Mildura on the 1st and 2nd of June.
Photo Credit: IHD Photography