KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Luke Clout and Dakota Alix have displayed plenty of promise at Port Adelaide’s fourth round of the 2018 Australian Supercross Championship in South Australia.
Back on the bike despite an injury scare one week ago in Geelong, Clout transferred directly to the main after storming to victory in his SX1 heat, later lodging the sixth-fastest time in the single-lap Superpole session.
The determined New South Welshman got out front in during the first of three main events in the Triple Crown format, ultimately crossing the line in first before a controversial penalty was handed down for allegedly passing on a yellow flag and demoting him to fourth position.
Clout rebounded for third in the second outing, however his night took a turn for the worst while challenging up front in the final encounter, crashing heavily through a rhythm section and resulting in a DNF. Escaping injury, Clout was credited ninth overall for the round.
American guest Alix charged to the front his SX2 heat, controlling the field for a number of laps before a costly mistake relegated him down the field, but still held onto a transfer position. He showcased consistency throughout the three mains, lodging a 5-6-6 scorecard for sixth overall.
Clout now holds down sixth in the SX1 rankings with one round remaining, while Alix is positioned fifth in SX2. The next stop on the calendar is scheduled for 9-10 November at Qudos Bank Arena for the high-profile AUS-X Open Sydney.
Jay Marmont – Team Manager, KTM Motocross Racing Team: “It was a tough night for the team, but everyone showed great fight. Dakota was leading his heat race before tucking the front and he was riding really well. In the SX2 mains, his starts let him down and had to work his way into position – he definitely has the pace to make it happen. For Luke in SX1, he was penalised in the opening final after crossing the line first and I found that pretty unfair. He bounced back for third in final two, before having a big crash in the last one unfortunately. I’m relieved he escaped any major injury from that one, so we just have to keep fighting from here onwards.”
Luke Clout – KTM 450 SX-F: “I’m very frustrated with how the night played out. I think I won the first race fair and square, – I don’t believe the decision from the officials was the correct one. That fired me up and I ended up in third in the next race, but unfortunately I made a mistake and crashed out in the final race of the night. There’s not much I can do and I’m definitely disappointed, but I’m just happy to be here racing after last weekend’s crash. I showed everyone that I can win, so I’m taking the positives from a hard night.”
Dakota Alix – KTM 250 SX-F: “It was a challenging weekend for me. I started my heat race well and led most of it before a mistake dropped me down the field, so I ended up with the 12th gate-pick and that was really crucial tonight because there were only a couple of good gates. I was happy with how rode in the three finals, but sixth overall is not the result I was after. I’ll keep working and I’m really excited for the AUS-X Open – I want to end the series with a bang, so to get a win would be awesome.”
Australian Supercross Championship Rd4 Port Adelaide results
SX1:
1. Brett Metcalfe 25
2. Justin Brayton 22
3. Jace Owen 20
4. Dylan Long 18
5. Dan Reardon 16
9. Luke Clout (KTM) 12
SX2:
1. Hayden Mellross 25
2. Jacob Hayes 22
3. Josh Osby (KTM) 20
4. Jay Wilson 18
5. Wilson Todd 16
6. Dakota Alix (KTM) 15
Australian Supercross Championship standings
SX1:
1. Justin Brayton 97
2. Brett Metcalfe 91
3. Jace Owen 72
4. Dan Reardon 70
5. Dylan Long 64
6. Luke Clout (KTM) 58
SX2:
1. Jay Wilson 88
2. Hayden Mellross 77
3. Wilson Todd 75
4. Jacob Hayes 75
5. Dakota Alix (KTM) 61