It was a productive weekend for the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team at round five of the ProMX championship with Aaron Tanti and Luke Clout both producing confidence boosting rides, as they claw their way back into the championship hunt after five rounds have been completed.
Tanti tightened the screws on the championship leaders and has now moved within nine points of the lead after finishing in second place at round five, while Luke Clout rebounded from a tough first moto to land in third in race two and now the top five riders are all within 30 points with three rounds to come.
In 2022, the Gilman circuit in South Australia is where Tanti got his championship wave rolling and was able to ride it all the way to Coolum and with it take the number 1 plate. Was history about to repeat itself? Tanti finished the day in second place with a pair of second place moto finishes across the two motos, but more importantly, it was the points gained on his championship rivals that really made the day stand out for him.
He came into the Gilman round 26 points behind the series leader Dean Ferris but left South Australia only nine adrift of new leader Jed Beaton and ready to take up the challenge at the remaining three rounds. Tanti showed good poise during the two motos at Gilman as conditions changed greatly during the day and even an afternoon storm that rolled through during the final moto didn’t seem to bother the current champ.
“I came into the weekend pretty determined to get my season back on track and myself back into the championship fight and although I didn’t get the round win, I was able to do that, so it was a positive weekend for me,” Tanti said.
“I have always enjoyed racing here and the track was in amazing shape considering the weather the area had in the lead up, so congratulations to the club and the crew for the effort they put in to make the weekend happen.
“I’m now back to within striking distance of the lead and we have three rounds to come all in Queensland, so its game on. Thank you to everyone on the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team as weekends like this are always hard work but everyone chipped in and we were able to get the results we needed,” Tanti concluded.
The weekend also provided plenty for former champion Luke Clout who claimed fifth for the round but again took the right steps that will see him get back to his best form. Clout ran up front in the early stages of race one before having some issues causing him to slow and nurse it home.
But he came out swinging in moto two and moved into the lead at the halfway stage and held it to the closing stages when he made a mistake and went down but was still able to salvage a third-place finish.
Fifth for the day and he now sits fifth in the championship and within 30 points of the leader given the depth and the unpredictable nature of the premier class this year, Clout’s well and truly in the hunt for this year’s championship.
“I feel good leaving here today,” said Clout. “While I didn’t win, I think it was another good step in the right direction in terms of speed and I feel a race and round win isn’t that far away.
“We have a month break before we head to Toowoomba, so it’s back to work on Monday and let’s aim to get our first round win of the season there,” Clout said.
Round six of the championship does indeed move to Toowoomba and the rolling red clay of the Echo Valley circuit on June 25.
