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Contributor: Dougy Herbert
Motorex KTM rider Craig Anderson’s prediction that 2002 will be “his year” is part way to coming true, after he wrapped up the Australian Open motocross championship at the final round of the championship at Penguin, Tasmania.
The Newcastle native, who also leads the Thumper Nats series after one round and currently lies a single point off the lead of the Supercross Masters series, won the title from defending champion, Kiwi Darryll King (Yamaha), 303 points to 295.
Motorex KTM Kiwi rider and former world champion, Shayne King out-pointed Honda’s Cameron Taylor to lock up third place in the championship, while the team’s third open rider, Jay Marmont, was unlucky to be beaten out of fifth place in the series by last round winner Shane Metcalfe (Honda).
The day’s honours went to Metcalfe from D. King and Kiwi, Daryl Hurley (Suzuki), while Anderson did what he had to, taking 3, 5, 6 scores to wrap up his ninth major title – his fifth with KTM Australia.
“It’s a little disappointing not to finish with another win,” said Anderson, “But I had a job to do today and that was to win the championship, so that’s what I did.
Twenty-four year-old Anderson, who has won three motocross championships, three supercross championships, one Supercross Masters crown and two Thumper Nats titles, rated this win “As good as any of them”. “I really wanted this title bad. Darryll kicked my ass pretty good last year and I wanted to return the favour.” “It got a little tricky in the second race when I broke my roll-offs and had to ride with no goggles, then in the third it happened again and I was running around in sixth, but Rob started giving me the thumbs up so I knew it was all good.”
Race one went to Taylor from Hurley and Ando, with the second going to Darryl King from Hurley, Metcalfe, Taylor and Anderson.
Only two points separated Shayne King and Taylor going into the final, which finished with Metcalfe ahead of D.King, S.King and then Taylor.
In the 125cc class, Motorex KTM rider Robbie Marshall rode to 4, 8, 5 scores on the day, finishing the championship fourth overall behind champion-elect Troy Dorron (Honda), Michel Constantinou (Yamaha) and Mitch Hoad (Suzuki).
In “Roost Rookies” junior action, Motorex KTM racer Cody Mackie took a perfect three wins from three starts to lead home Chase Mosic and Justin Curry, after regular sparring partner and team mate Danny Anderson crashed heavily in race one, later opting to sit out the final moto.
Australian Open Motocross Championship Points (provisional) after final round:
1. C.Anderson (KTM) 303, 2. D.King NZL (Yamaha) 295, 3. S.King NZL (KTM) 207, 4. C.Taylor (Honda) 204, 5. S.Metcalfe (Honda) 158, 6. J.Marmont (KTM) 150, 7. D.Hurley NZL (Suzuki) 138
Australian 125cc Motocross Championship Points (provisional) after final round:
1. T.Dorron (Honda) 301, 2. M.Constantinou (Yamaha) 180, 3. M.Hoad (Suzuki) 157, 4. R.Marshall (KTM) 140, 5. T.Carroll (Yamaha) 137, 6. P.Broxholme NZL (Yamaha) 128
