Triple Crown Win And 3rd Overall Solidifies Clout As AUSX Title Contender
Luke Clout and the Empire Kawasaki Team continued their impressive run in the Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) with 3rd Overall at Round 3 in Wollongong. With a Heat Race Win, Triple Crown win and another overall podium with 3rd on the night, Clout is solidifying himself as a Championship contender.
The day started with Clout’s trademark speed on display, topping the leaderboards in both SX1 free practice and Qualifying, narrowly being pipped at the flag to finish with the 2nd fastest time heading into the Night Show.
With flawless starts and execution, Clout would holeshot his Heat Race and lead wire-to-wire for an impressive victory, that was replicated in the opening Triple Crown main event with another holeshot that led to Clout crossing the finish line to take the chequered flag, taking his 2nd main event win of the season.
The Triple Crown format rewarded consistency and Clout would navigate his fair share of chaos on the opening laps, claiming a 3rd in the middle Final and, after being pushed off the track whilst challenging for the lead in Final 3 on the opening lap, Clout would ride a smart race to take 5th and finish on the Overall Podium with 3rd Overall and remain in 3rd in the AUSX SX1 Championship.
“Tonight was another consistent night where we showed speed and most importantly, with the full 75 points up for grabs across the Triple Crown format, to only drop 5 points in the Championship leaving Wollongong is a big achievement,” he insisted.
“I’m showing the Supercross speed I know I’m capable of. It was a big adjustment racing overseas last weekend in Canada at WSX and the jet lag is something I’m learning, but ultimately we are still in the Championship hunt and there’s more to show for us heading into Adelaide.”
In the SX2 Class, Reid Taylor’s consistency paid off in the Triple Crown format, showing great composure and navigating the chaos of SX2 to narrowly miss out on the overall podium with 4th on the Night, moving into 4th in the SX2 Championship.
With a 3rd in his Heat Race, Taylor claimed 4-7-4 Main Event scores to secure the top Australian rider home on the night in the internationally packed AUSX SX2 field.
“The racing was so intense tonight with the Triple Crown, you had to be extremely smart to navigate the first laps of each gate drop. I had speed, I think we could have done more but I have some work to do to begin matching the American riders in some areas on the track,” Taylor stated.
“Overall I’m happy, the Team has my KX250 working great and we are building. I’m excited for Adelaide.”
With Brett Metcalfe unfortunately out with injury for this Round, that left the Kawasaki Team Green presence to Joel Cigliano, who finished a respectable 16th in SX1, while Zhane Mackintosh took 15th in SX2 and Callum Orchard 17th.
Empire Kawasaki and Team Green will now follow the AUSX Championship to Adelaide, for a collaboration Round 4 with the Adelaide 500 from the 15th-17th November.
Images: ID Media Group
