Americans swept the podium in the second round of the Monster Energy Super X in Canberra, Australia, with Kevin Windham leading home fellow Yanks Josh Hansen and Justin Brayton before a crowd of 9250 on a slippery track in Canberra Stadium.
Riding the Geico Powersports/Cougar Bourbon Honda, Windham began the night by setting the fast qualifying time on a track made slick by late afternoon rain. He followed that by winning all three legs of the Triple Challenge-each race is seven laps-though no two races were the same.In the first race, Hansen (Monster Energy / Pro Circuit) took the lead from Australian Jay Marmont on the first lap with Justin Brayton (Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX) and Windham soon into the top three. Windham passed Brayton on the second lap and took Hansen on lap five, setting the final order at Windham, Hansen, Brayton.The second race jump went to Brayton, but Windham was quickly in control and on his way to a second victory of the night. A fifth lap slip in the whoops dropped Brayton to fourth, with Hansen taking over second and Marmont third, where they’d finish. Brayton held on to finish fourth.Windham put the third race out of reach from the drop of the gate, speeding to his third victory of the night. Hansen and JDR Motorex KTM’s Mike Alessi were second and third early on until both Brayton and Marmont passed Alessi on lap four.Windham won the overall with Hansen second and Brayton third.”What a great start to my time here in Australia,” Windham, who flew down with his family, said. “I am really enjoying the country and the people and had a lot of fun racing here tonight.”The different formats definitely make it interesting because anything can happen. I am just glad I rode well and consistently and got the win in all three races.”The Cougar Bourbon Honda team did a great job in preparing the bike and I can’t thank them enough for the way they welcomed me into the team for this event.”The race was supposed to be a one-off for Windham, but he revealed that he was in talks with series organizers to race in next weekend’s third round in Aurora Stadium in Launceston, Tasmania.Hansen now leads the championship series with 108 points followed by Brayton (98)and Marmont (88).”I am just really happy to be here racing and getting these good results,” Hansen said. “There was some good close racing tonight and fun battles. It’s good to be leading the championship and I really want to ride well and hold on to it for the rest of the series. I am loving Australia.”
Said Brayton, “I think it’s really good for this series and for us to be able to come out here and race and have the opportunity to raise the profile of the sport. The different formats each week keep it interesting and the racing is always at a high intensity. It is my final round next week and it would be great to finish off with a win.”
OPEN Top Ten Results – Round 2
1. Kevin Windham – Cougar Bourbon Honda: 25,25,25 TOTAL 75
2. Josh HANSEN – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki: 22,22,22 TOTAL 66
3. Justin BRAYTON – Muscle Milk / Toyota JGRMX: 20,18,20 TOTAL 58
4. Jay MARMONT – CDR Rockstar Yamaha: 16,20,18 TOTAL 54
5. Mike ALESSI – JDR Motorex KTM: 15,16,12 TOTAL 43
6. Tye SIMMONDS – JDR Motorex KTM: 13,15,13 TOTAL 41
7. Daniel REARDON – Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing: 11,14,14 TOTAL 39
8. Todd WATERS – Cougar Bourbon Thor Honda: 12,11,15 TOTAL 38
9. Daniel McCOY – Coastal KTM Motorex Team:14,13,11 TOTAL 38
10. Lewis WOODS – Top Gear KTM: 10,10,16 TOTAL 36OPEN Top Ten Results – Championship standings
1 Josh HANSEN – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki: 108
2 Justin BRAYTON – Muscle Milk / Toyota JGRMX: 98
3 Jay MARMONT – CDR Rockstar Yamaha: 88
4 Daniel REARDON – Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing: 77
5 Kevin Windham – Geico Powersports Team Honda: 75
6 Tye SIMMONDS – JDR Motorex KTM: 68
7 Todd WATERS – Cougar Bourbon Thor Honda: 65
8 Daniel McCOY – Coastal KTM Motorex Team: 65
9 Lewis WOODS – Top Gear KTM: 56
10 Jake MOSS – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 50
