Daniel Reardon (Woodstock Honda Thor Racing) has claimed round three of the Monster Energy Super X at Perth's Burswood Dome after a titanic battle with defending champion Chad Reed (Monster Energy Kawasaki).
Reardon engineered the perfect start in the 10-lap final, and then held his nerve to hold off the challenge from Reed to win by 0.6secs.
Reardon now leads the 450cc class by 2pts (69 to 67) over Reed, followed by Jay Marmont (CDR Yamaha, 63), Tye Simmonds (Motorex KTM, 52) and Cheyne Boyd (CDR Yamaha, 48).
"I am so pumped about the win and it was a lot of fun racing tonight. It was a great track and a great venue and I felt really good on the bike," said Reardon.
The Perth round saw the debut of a new final format, the Round Robin, which pitted riders against each other in three different five-lap heat races. The top 12 from those races then progressed to a 10-lap showpiece.
In the finale, Rockstar Honda Maxima's Michael Byrne, who had been lightning fast in the heats, came undone in the tricky whoops section and was unable to finish, which left the way open for Marmont to take third ahead of Boyd and Simmonds.
The 250cc class riders were tested on the technical track - all those except Matt Moss (Rockstar Motul Suzuki) perhaps. The New South Welshman was again a one-man juggernaut, and his blitz saw him run out a six-second winner over privateer Lawson Bopping (Suzuki) and American Kyle Cunningham (Serco Yamaha).
The new fuel injected Suzuki RM-Z250 is easily the best bike I've ever ridden," said Moss. "I've only had it for three rounds, but it just keeps getting better and better.
"Today was a great result. After I got the holeshot I built up a lead and then did what I had to do to win the race. It's certainly easier when you've got the best bike out there underneath you."
The Monster Energy Super X will now make its way to Canberra for the fourth round on Saturday November 7.
CURRENT STANDINGS (after three of seven rounds):
450cc
1 Dan Reardon Woodstock Thor Honda 69
2 Chad Reed Monster Energy Kawasaki 67
3 Jay Marmont CDR Yamaha 63
4 Tye Simmonds Motorex KTM 52
5 Cheyne Boyd CDR Yamaha 48
6 Cody Mackie Kawasaki Racing 44
7 Daniel McCoy Coastal KTM 40
8 Cameron Taylor SP Motorsports Suzuki 36
9 Craig Anderson Kawasaki Racing 36
10 Troy Carroll Cool Air Conditioning Kawasaki 31
250cc
1 Matt Moss Shift Motul Suzuki 75
2 Kyle Cunningham Serco Yamaha 60
3 Lawson Bopping Privateer Suzuki 58
4 Ryan Marmont MX Rad 53
5 Adam Monea Privateer Suzuki 44
6 Brendan Harrison Privateer Yamaha 43
7 Kirk Gibbs Privateer Yamaha 43
8 Lewis Woods Privateer Kawasaki 35
9 Danny Anderson Coastal KTM 32
8 Mitch Austin Coastal KTM 32
Published : Monday, 2 November 2009