News 28 Oct 2010

Oz SX: Larsen determined to bounce back in Launceston

JDR Motorex KTM's PJ Larsen is desperate to regain points after a mishap in Canberra. Image: Sport The Library.

JDR Motorex KTM's PJ Larsen is desperate to regain points after a mishap in Canberra. Image: Sport The Library.

JDR Motorex KTM’s PJ Larsen is confident he can return to the top step of the podium when the 2010 Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship, continues at Launceston in Tasmania this Saturday night, 30 October.

Larsen finished fourth overall in Canberra last weekend after a crash in the third and final moto of the evening, forcing him to finish 15th in that race but still claiming fourth overall due to a pair of second place finishes earlier in the night.

The result bumped the 20-year-old from South Carolina down to second in the standings after two of seven rounds, 18 points in arrears of arch-rival Matt Moss, but he’s determined to regain those points this weekend at Aurora Stadium in Tasmania.

“We’ve definitely got a lot of work to do now, but there are still a lot of races left to run in the series and I’m confident that we can start closing the points gap this weekend,” Larsen commented. “Anything can still happen, you never know what’s going to happen, and that’s the value of these short and sharp races at Super X.

“I’m still in a comfortable situation, looking forward to this weekend and am feeling really good on the bike this week. Consistency’s going to help a lot, the starts are crucial and I’ve been working hard to make sure we are ready come race time.”

Larsen will be joined in the Lites category aboard KTM’s 2011 model 250SX-F by Ryan Marmont, the Wollongong-based former champion looking to continue his perfect podium streak after a pair of third places in the opening rounds to date. Marmont currently sits third in the series, 10 points behind teammate Larsen.

JDR Motorex KTM’s Pro Open campaign features talented 18-year-old Bourke resident Tye Simmonds, who sits sixth in the championship point standings following a consistent pair of sixth place finishes gained at the opening rounds. Simmonds is gaining confidence as the season progresses, ready to make a charge for his first podium of the season.

Alongside Simmonds on the all-new KTM 350SX-F will be American star Mike Alessi, who captured a world-first top five finish in a national Supercross event aboard the 350 last weekend. Alessi sits 12th in the series after a disastrous 18th at the opening round, however momentum will be on his side heading into Launceston after a fifth place finish in Canberra.

For more information on Saturday night’s event in Launceston and the entire series, visit www.superx.com.au, or check out www.ktm.com.au for details on the JDR team and the entire KTM motorcycle range.

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