Gillespie finishes second in Women’s Motocross Championship & Duncanson strong in u19’s debut

24/08/09

The final round of the Australian Motocross Championship at Coolum in QLD on 1 & 2 August 09 was a feature packed event and for GMR Motorex KTM it saw the final round of the Women’s title for Gillespie as well as the debut u19’s event for hard charging rookie, Sam Duncanson.

The sandy Coolum circuit became rough and technical as each day of racing progressed and it was when the track was at its most demanding, that Gillespie shone.

Kristy Gillespie took 2-1-2-2 race results to claim 2nd overall for the event, with close battles between Dare and Gillespie which made for great racing and a tight Championship battle. Gillespie secured 2nd overall in the Championship, just 9 points shy of the win.

“The racing was great this season, and I am happy to be on the podium again in the Women’s Championship,” said Gillespie. “I have been on the podium four years straight now, and although I would love to have the number one again, I knew that there were going to be new faces in the field this season, and it really stepped up the racing.

“A highlight for me was the last race of the final round. I got a bad start, and about a lap into the race I crashed. I was in about 15th position but I put my head down, and everything just clicked. My line choice and passes were awesome, and I got through most the field in the ten minute moto, making my way to second, finishing just a few seconds off Tori.

“Finishing second to Tori Dare in this year’s Championship, is only going to make me even more determined next year to win that number one plate back.”

Sam Duncanson also made an impressive u19’s Championship debut putting on a display of great things to come. Duncanson was impressive in all three motos, running at the pointy end of the field for the opening laps of two motos, and put in a hard charging performance in moto three.

Duncanson who is just 16 years old, collected 7-5-10 results for the event against seasoned competitors to secure 8th overall in his u19’s Championship debut.

“I started the first moto with a holeshot, and I led for about four laps which really got my confidence up early in the day,” said Duncanson. “I made a mistake mid-race, and dropped the bike in a corner, but I managed to get back on quickly, and bring home a seventh place.

“In moto two, I was about fifth out of turn one, and within a few corners I was up into second behind Luke Styke. I was moving in on him, but unfortunately I had another small crash which set me back to fifth.

“I had a mid-pack start in the last moto, and there seemed to be an engine misfire on the up ramp of a jump in the very early stages of the race, so I backed right off to preserve things. I was in around third last position once the field moved past, so I had to work extra hard. I managed to work up to tenth place for the race.

“I know I have the pace, but I think I just need a little more race time, and experience to bring it home. Overall, I am happy with the way I rode, and am looking forward to racing the u19’s series next season.”

“Kristy put in an outstanding performance, and the whole team is extremely proud of her second place overall,” said Team Manager Glenn Macdonald.

“Kristy rode exceptionally well, particularly in motos two and four, but it just wasn’t enough to make the points break through we needed for the title.

“Despite a bad start, a crash and the difficult track conditions in the final moto, Kristy demonstrated why she is a dominant rider, making her way back from 15th to second in a 10 minute moto, just a few seconds short of the lead, and this is why Kristy is one of the best ambassadors around for women’s racing, and KTM is proud to support her in her racing career.

“Kristy has been unchallenged for at least 12 months now, and the new bred of juniors coming through the ranks are definitely picking up the pace, which is making for great women’s racing. We are determined to come back stronger next season, and regain that number one plate.”

“It was also great to see Sam on the track for the final round of the u19’s Championship,” said Macdonald. “Sam has recently returned from an injury plagued season, and has come back with a vengeance.

“Sam was fifth fastest in qualifying, and in moto one set the fastest lap time, one of just three riders to break the 1 minute 50 second barrier into the 1.49’s.

“The intensity of the U-19’s racing was incredible, and despite a couple of mishaps, Sam put in an awesome performance to secure a top 10 finish with an eighth place for the event, against the countries best. The results on paper certainly don’t do his performance justice.

“This weekend was just a glimpse of things to come from the young charger.”

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Tori Dare 169 pts
2. Kristy Gillespie 160 pts
3. Nicole Davis 108 pts

FUTURE RESULTS
www.gmr-motorexktm.com.au and www.ktm.com.au