JDR/ J-Star/KTM: L.A.

January 22, 2012, 6:30pm

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - JDR/ J-Star/KTM Team rider Matt Moss earned his season best finish at the third round of the AMA West Supercross Lites Series with an 8^th place result at Dodger Stadium.

Moss, who finished 15^th at the opening round and missed qualifying at the second round, arrived to the Los Angeles-based stadium ready to put his JDR/J-Star backed KTM machine into the main event.

Heavy rainfall the night before the event forced the track crew to keep the track covered until the early afternoon. It also reduced the amount of practice to just one session for all riders. Moss made the most of his practice session and was able to qualify 9^th fastest to earn a good gate pick in his heat.

Moss struggled with a poor start in his heat but was able to quickly charge forward to put his KTM into qualifying position. He moved into 7^th place and maintained that position throughout the six lap heat to easily transfer to the main event.

As the gate dropped for the main event, Moss had a great jump off the start but was too far to the outside as they neared the first corner and was pushed out into a first turn crash with Cole Seely. Both riders were slow to get up and remounted in last position. Moss quickly went to work to pick off all possible positions and gain points.

By the third lap he had already passed four riders and was sitting in 15^th. Two laps later he knocked off another rider to step up to 14^th. At the halfway point he put a clean pass on Billy Laninovich to move into the top ten. Two laps later he moved to 9^th when Marvin Musquin crashed out. Still full of energy he continued to drive forward and was able to make a last lap pass on Martin Davalos to move up to 8^th. His result was his best of the season and a great starting ground for what’s to come of this Australian Champion.

“My goal is to definitely finish in the top five,” remarked Moss. “I’ve been struggling with my starts the past three rounds. I am going to work on improving in that area and then I think a top five finish will be within my reach.”

Missing from the racing action was Moss’ teammate Ryan Marmont. The young Aussie rider suffered a practice crash this past Tuesday that resulted in a concussion and caused him to sit out this weekend. Marmont will return to his doctor this week to see if he can be released in time for the Oakland Supercross event.

The JDR/J-Star/KTM Team will now begin preparation for the fourth round of the AMA West Supercross Lites Series to be held in Oakland, CA next Saturday, January 28, 2012.

Overall Results Supercross Lites –