Jay Wilson is crowned Australia’s first World Motocross Champion and Dylan Long places third

24/08/09

GMR Motorex KTM racers Jay Wilson and Dylan Long flew the Australian flag high at the 2009 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship at Taupo, New Zealand on 15 & 16 August with Jay Wilson making history and becoming the first ever Australian World Motocross Champion.

The Taupo track was an impressive venue which was undulating with large jumps and a pumice soil base, with sand and saw dust sections which certainly proved challenging to the riders.

Jay Wilson qualified in second place behind Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis, with Lars van Berkel of the Netherlands in third and Dylan Long fourth fastest.

Jay Wilson collected 1-3 race results to claim the 85cc World Championship, while GMR Motorex KTM teammate Dylan Long scored 2-7 results to place third overall.

Jay Wilson was lost for words “I was just in a daze when I crossed the finish line, and I was offered a victory lap which was unreal,” said Wilson. “I just don’t know what to say about winning the World Championship, I’m thrilled and speechless.

“The track at Taupo was unbelievable despite the weather, and my KTM was running perfect over here in the tough conditions.

“I was really pleased with qualifying, and went into race one pretty confident. I got a great start, and knew I had to be really aggressive to get to the lead early. By turn four I was in the lead, and built a comfortable buffer to take the win.

“In race two there was a little bit more pressure to hold it together for the title, and I had a really tough battle with Samuele Bernadini from Italy. We came into contact quite a few times, and I crashed at one stage, but once I got back up I knew I just had to work on holding a top three spot.

“Michaboy de Waal from the Netherlands was also riding hard, so I settled in third, and knew that it was enough to hold the points lead.

“I really want to thank Motorcycling Australia and their support team, GMR Motorex KTM, and their associated sponsors as well as my family for all of the support. It is an unbelievable feeling, and I am just so proud to be Australia’s first World Motocross Champion.”

Dylan Long also stood proudly on the podium in third place and on review said “In race one I had a mid pack start, and had to fight my way through the field.”

“I had a good battle with Hayden Melross on my way through, but I managed to make my way up to second position behind my KTM team mate Jay Wilson for a 1-2 finish.

“In race two, I didn’t get the start I really needed to be at the pointy end early, so again I had to come through the pack. As I was coming through another rider lost control, and cut my line which sent me down. I got back up, and pushed back up to third, but I came down again later in the race which set me back for a seventh place finish.

“Honestly, I was hoping for the win this weekend, but with a bit of bad luck it just didn’t go my way. I am really stoked though to be on the podium representing Australia, and I will now start focusing on the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in a few weeks time.

“The whole Australian team environment was great, especially my room mate Scott Mann who kept things fun all week, it really took the pressure off. I also want to thank all the team at GMR Motorex KTM, my family and everyone who has supported me.”

Senior Motorex KTM racer Tye Simmonds also collected an amazing second place overall in the 125cc-250F class to Eli Tomac.

Team Manager Glenn Macdonald was blown away with pride to see his two chargers on the podium for the title “The whole team knew that Dylan and Jay were capable of running in the top five for their class, and to see both boys on the podium was an honour for GMR Motorex KTM Racing,” said Macdonald.

“Jay has done an incredible job, and has peaked at the precise time to take home Australia’s first ever World Motocross Championship, and I could not be any more proud than I am right now. He is a superstar in the making, and everyone in the team, and our associated sponsors are extremely proud of the result.

“Dylan also put in an outstanding performance at Taupo. He was challenged by mid pack starts, but certainly proved in both races he has the speed to run with the world’s best junior racers. In the end, a bit of bad luck in race two cost him a better result, but to see Dylan on the podium at a World Championship is something we were all extremely proud of.

“I would also like to thank Motorcycling Australia for their commitment to the team, and for providing this incredible opportunity to allow our young stars to shine on the world stage.

“Congratulations also extends to senior Motorex KTM racer Tye Simmonds for placing second in the 125 cc – 250F class.”

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