Race report: 2014 MX Nationals Culham

Nathan Watson took an unexpected win at the opening round of the MX Nationals at Culham Motocross Park with a consistent 2-1-2 scorecard.

The Dantec Husqvarna rider showed his fast pace throughout the weekend and held off Buildbase Honda’s Elliot Banks-Browne and LPE Apico Kawasaki’s Gert Krestinov, who finished second and third overall in the Fastest 40.

Qualifying got under way on Saturday morning and it was Banks-Browne and Whatley who topped their respective sessions to make it the Fastest 40. Max Anstie, who qualified seventh, ended his day early with no official explanation from the Bike It Cosworth Yamaha team.

Saturday afternoon saw a dramatic start in race one with a big pileup along the start straight but the race leaders emerged unscathed and leader Kristian Whatley opened up a six second gap. Watson attempted to close Whaltey’s lead, but was forced to settle for second place with Banks-Browne in third ahead of Krestinov and Steven Lenoir.

Race one winner Whatley, had a disappointing race day on Sunday and was forced to sit out of race two due to bike problems. Watson hit the front early in race two and was never under any real pressure from Martin Barr, who finished second ahead of Banks-Browne.

In race three, Banks-Browne blasted out of the gates to take the lead through the first corner. Whatley battled back and had the lead for a short time but faded as the race progressed, eventually finishing in seventh. EBB took his first win of the weekend ahead of Watson and Lenoir on the podium. But it was Watson who had the overall win for the first MX Nationals.

Watson now leads in the MX Nationals standings at the end of the first round, with 290 points, in front of Banks-Browne with 280 points and Krestinov with 250 points.