Jess Moore has won the opening round of the 2010 Western Australian Women's Motocross championship at Coastal Park, Henderson last Sunday, April 11th. Concerns regarding low numbers were soon eliminated when 13 girls fronted the starting gates for the first race of the series opener.
A photo opportunity on the main straight with all competitors and sponsors drew attention from the crowd of well wishers who soon lined the fences in anticipation of the racing which would unfold on the deep sandy circuit. A track immaculately prepared, however renowned for being a grueling and unforgiving for riders unprepared for the loamy sand surface.
All eyes were on the youngsters who dominated practice, The BCP and Honda Australia sponsored Jess Moore, Annissa Berichon on the Ringmaster Images, Bunbury Yamaha, Pilbara Motor Group's Hannah Lovett and Chelsea Blakers on the Steve’s Menswear sponsored bike.
The girls stood beside their bikes with their helmets in hand for the national anthem, showing great respect and professionalism in a class which only two years ago struggled to have seven entries for the then one round race to determine the champion.
Jess Moore grabbed the first Karcher Holeshot award with a brilliant start into the first corner with Annissa Berichon hot on her heals and Chelsea Blakers with a cracking start, however great riding between the eldest girl in class, Emma Clack and young gun Hannah Lovett.
It was a cracking finish with Jess Moore taking the win, Berichon second, Clack third, Lovett fourth and Chelsea Blakers fifth.
The first moto out of the way and the girls were able to relax slightly and keep the nerves at bay, the test would come as the other classes took to the track, conditions were changing and how would the women’s class respond?
Second race out, and Hannah Lovett grabbed the Karcher Holeshot award with a cracking start however the battle for first was taken over by Jess Moore and Annissa Berichon, with Lovett trying everything to peg back the second place rider of Berichon, who was having a battle to try and catch the unstoppable Jess Moore who went on to take the win ahead of Berichon, Hannah Lovett, Emma Clack in forth with Chelsea Blakers managing fifth place.
Track conditions would test the stamina of all riders as they day progressed, lap times were slower than the first initial races, however the girls lined up for their final moto of the day to a vocal crowd showing fantastic support to the class.
Steeping up to the challenge, the girls did not disappoint with Annissa Berichon charging from the gates with a brilliant start and grabbing the Karcher Holeshot award and the lead.
Jessica Moore was straight into second as the crowd were on their feet cheering the riders on, with some fantastic moves from both riders, Hannah Lovett in third however the action was hot at the pointy end of the field with Berichon and Moore side by side before Berichon dropped the bike allowing Moore past and through to lead the event.
Berichon slipped back through the field loosing critical places, however was soon back up and trying to run down the lead of Jess Moore. Emma Clack and Chelsea Blakers were having a great battle for forth place. The track took it’s toll on a number of riders unable to hang onto the bikes in the deep and rutted sand however all managed with the help of the officials to get back up and on the machines.
Bring home a great win was Jess Moore, Annissa Berichon came through the field to pick up second, Hannah Lovett held on for third with an almost photo finish for fourth between Emma Clack and Chelsea Blakers, however the elder stateswomen of Emma Clack just crossed the line .163 of a second ahead of Blakers in fifth place.
The crowd lined the fence to greet the riders and show the appreciation for a top day of racing and great sportsmanship out on the track as riders shook hands and congratulated each other on some top level racing in a physically and emotionally draining day, on a track which certainly tested the limits of rider and machine.
Congratulations to all riders, who did themselves and the class proud, thanks to Coastal Park Motorcycle Club and WAMX, as well as all the officials and friends and family who helped get the girls out and around the track, and picked a few up and helped get the bikes going again!
Sponsors: Healthways, Karcher, Harding Design, Print & Sign, PerthMX.com and Phatcat Racing.
The next round isn’t until August 1 at Noble Falls, certainly a test for all riders with the hard packed circuit.
The Overall Results after Round 1:
1 193 Jessica Moore 75
2 777 Annissa Berichon 66
3 685 Hannah Lovett 58
4 671 Emma Clack 56
5 539 Chelsea Blakers 48
6 734 Kathryn Scoble 42
7 866 Michelle Mullins 41
8 372 Taryn Leighton 38
9 712 Tahlia Riley 38
10 317 Kayla Odermatt 36
11 352 Leah Treasure 30
12 347 Alisha Nash 26
13 337 Mikayla Vasilenko 9
