The MXGP of Darwin wasn’t all about the WMX, MX2 and MXGP classes. As part of the event, young Australian riders were given the chance to race over the weekend, with an 85cc and MX3 class added to the program as part of an MA / FIM initiative allowing the stars of tomorrow to experience motocross at the highest levels.
In the 85cc class, GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing were well represented with three riders headed to the sultry NT capital to race. Blake Bohannon, Eliza Dennis and Degan Fort were all selected as part of their state teams in a cross-border challenge.
Bohannon was on track for another sensational weekend, finishing second in the first moto, then taking the win in the second moto before a crash in race three ended any chance of success. The fall took the wind out of his sails and he was on the ground for some time, but did his best to scramble back to 19th place. His 2-1-19 landed him in sixth place for the weekend.
Deegan Fort, still shaking off the effects of an injury, finished ninth for the weekend as he dealt with some average starts and costly falls during the races. Fort saved his best for last when he raced to a seventh-place finish and will be better for the experience.
Eliza Dennis took 18th in a field of 43 and improved her riding with each outing. She finished 18-19-14 and rode well in a fast field of 85cc riders. Dennis loved the racing and the atmosphere of the MXGP weekend, but the highlight of her weekend was getting to spend plenty of time with two-time world WMX champion, Lotte Van Drunen.
Drunen was generous with her time and spoke to Dennis at length, forming a personal relationship with her idol.
In the MX3 class, Heath Davy and Jobe Dunne flew the YJR flag, while Ky Woods was the lone ranger for the Monster Energy WBR Yamaha team. Woods dominated the weekend, taking all three moto wins in impressive fashion.
Davy took eighth in class with some consistent racing across the three motos, while teammate Jobe Dunne was just two spots behind in 10th. Both are still juniors and are tracking well as they head into next week’s Junior MX Championships.
Madi Simpson raced well to finish seventh and get her feet wet at MXGP level.
