Ferris wheels to MX Nationals win
MOTOCROSS: It was probably the most intense 30 minutes on a bike all year for Dean Ferris.
The reigning MX Nationals champion needed a podium finish at Echo Valley on Sunday to retain his MX1 championship on the track where he has a chalked up a number of wins over the years.
But this one topped them all.
Ferris wrapped up the national title in Toowoomba thanks to a hectic ride to the top of the podium in the penultimate round of the series.
The New South Wales rider managed to keep a gap of 06.787 seconds between himself and Kirk Gibbs 12 months after crossing the line first at the same track in last year’s MX Nationals series.
Paying tribute to his growing family, Ferris now has less pressure going into the final round at Coolum.
The dad-to-be said his biggest win would come this week with the birth of his first child.
“I’m super stoked that we won and wrapped up the championship. It couldn’t have gone any better,” he said. “It will be nice if it (the baby) comes this week and to have little bub there at Coolum will be amazing.”
Going into the final laps, Ferris was locked with rival Kirk Gibbs, who had plans of spoiling the championship party for the dominant winner-in-waiting.
The pair treated the crowd to an intense showdown when the 2016 champion took the lead on lap two, but Ferris never showed any signs of slowing down, boasting a 4.5 second lead in the race at one stage.
Crossing the finish line and taking the chequered flag, Ferris was mobbed by family and friends who raced down to the track to share in the emotional victory.
“My mum, my girlfriend, my brother, sister the whole works, everyone backs me and they always have,” he said. “It’s amazing that I can win some championships in the big boys’ class and live the dream.”
Toowoomba rider Kerrod Morrissy also claimed a race win on home turf, riding to victory in the Australian Amateur Cup. Fellow Garden City rider Kaleb Barham finished eighth in the MX2 250 Pro race.