2014 AJMX: First Champions Crowned

Halfway mark sees new champions crowned at 2014 KTM Australian Junior MX Championship (AJMX)…

Racing concluded yesterday for the first group of riders at Appin and some genuine superstars have been crowned champions for 2014. The crowd at Appin was treated to spectacular racing hosted by KTM Australia and the Macarthur Motorcycle Club.

In the 50cc Division 2 class, Tasmanian Jett Burgess-Stevens edged out Queenslander, Braden Plath, by just three points. A further 10 points back in third was Jasper Moon from New South Wales. Undoubtedly the most dominant performer so far has been Queensland-based KTM rider, Noah Smerdon, who clinched the 65cc 7-U9 class, going through every race undefeated. Senna Agius, who has been benefiting from coaching from international MX star, Meghan Rutledge, took out second and Ryder Kingsford took third.

The 65cc 9-U11 class saw 2014 World Champion, Jett Lawrence, clinch the top spot in straight sets, winning all three races. Billy Payne and Alex Larwood rounded out second and third in the class, respectively. Regan Duffy’s long trip from Western Australia paid off after he collected the 65cc 11-U12 trophy from Liam Andrews in second and Noah Ferguson in third.

The premier class of the first group (85cc 9-U12) certainly didn’t disappoint, coming down to the very last corner to decide the Australian Champion. Regan Duffy and Jett Lawrence were neck and neck until the final lap when Lawrence showed his international talent by passing a gallant Duffy on the final turn. Lawrence won his second Australian Championship of the day by just three points from Duffy. New Zealander, Brodie Connolly, took out third.

Today will see the second group of competitors, aged 12 to 16, take to the track for practice sessions in the morning and heats in the afternoon.