Dobson Dials in Career Best Finish

The Sunshine Coast based racer, turned in his best and most consistent performance at a national level to finish with a career high second place finish in the MX2 class, on the back of two hard fought 25minute motos on the challenging Maitland circuit.

Dobson finished with 3-2 results and just missed winning the round by one point, but was more than happy to be up on the round podium and has now moved to second position in the championship.

After an average start in race one, Dobson moved through the pack and was in fourth place in the later stages before another rider went down and allowed him to move into third place for the race. Moto two saw Dobson get a much better start and was in the top three right from the get-go and just past the halfway stage, moved his way into second place, where he would stay until race end.

The round victory was in the balance until the final laps, as race one winner, Kyle Webster fell early in race two and needed to claw his way back to fourth to claim the round win. Webster was only able to secure fourth spot on the second last lap and as a result, bump Dobson from the top step of the podium.

“It’s finally nice to get up on the podium for a round,” said a relieved Dobson. “I have been so close so many times over the years and had way too many fourth places to even think about so it’s awesome to break that ceiling and actually get the job done.

“I was close at Wonthaggi and Canberra but now to be 100% fit and to get on the podium is a huge monkey off my back. I am also just as happy that I was able to put together two good motos where I was strong all the way to the end and didn’t many too many mistakes out there, especially in that second race as the track went hard and slippery in spots. 

“My bike was in great shape all day so thank you to Ben and the team for all the hard work and I’m now second in the championship, which is also the best I have ever been in a national professional championship.

“The result is also the result of a lot of work I have been putting in with Ford Dale, so I will continue to work with him as I think the best is yet to come and hopefully a round win isn’t too far away.”

It was a bittersweet day for team mate, Nathan Crawford, who experienced the biggest of emotional extremes on race day. He went from the depths of despair when he was unable to finish the opening moto due to a mechanical issue, through to elation after winning the final moto in convincing fashion. 

The DNF-1 result was enough to credit Crawford for seventh place on the day and hold down fifth in the championship.

“Was a real mixed day for me that even started in qualifying as I struggled with the track early in the session before finally finding my groove later and getting to qualify in fourth. 

“Race one and I didn’t get a great start and as I was beginning to move forward, I heard some noises and the bike stopped not long after. 

“I was pretty angry but used that emotion for race two where I was able to get to the lead and just do my laps. I put my head down, focussed on the track and was able to get the win which was a huge relief. 

“I’m a long way down in the championship points now and figure I have nothing to lose, so its all out from here on in. All I can do as win as many races as I can and focus of race and round wins and hopefully that drags me up in the championship.”   

The Serco Yamaha team now sits their attention to Albury for round five of the championship in four weeks’ time.