Aussie Reid Taylor stars for Big Rock; After fireworks Jordi-Matt duel ends in peace

Ahmedabad, 11 February 2024: Top Australian motocross rider Reid Taylor of Big Rock Motorsports stole the show with a double and a second place to turn out as the Best rider of the day in the second round of the CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) which was inaugurated by the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel at the Eka Arena, here on Sunday.

However, it was the big fight between the nine-time Australian champion Matt Moss of Big Rock Motorsports and French rider, two-time former World champion Jordi Tixier, of BB Racing that reached a crescendo as both shared honours winning a Moto each, but not before a tough tussle on the track and a war of words off it.

Tixier, the current ISRL leader in the individual leaderboard, trailing in the feature All-star race, boxed the Aussie rider in an aggressive move and his back tyre hit the front of the Big Rock rider. Moss took a tumble as a result and lost the lead and was visibly disturbed. Jordi Tixier won the race but the duo had an ‘exchange of words’ at the finish line but soon Tixier, explained his case and rendered an apology. Moss, was clearly denied a double win today but the Australian accepted the apology and thanked his team, Big Rock Motorsports, for the wonderful bike and all the arrangements. “I am pleased with the Ahmedabad track here and happy to see a huge crowd. We have prepared well and I am very happy to take the lead in the team championship,” said Moss, after the races.

Seven motos were held on Sunday. There were two motos for the 450cc bikes for international riders. Then there were two motos each for the 250cc international riders and 250cc motos for a mix of Asia and Indian riders. The final race was the All Stars Race for both 450cc and 250cc riders.

The BigRock Motorsports continued to dominate the team championship table as its riders took many podium places. Matt Moss, the star athlete of BigRock Motorsports, riding the Kawasaki KX450S, secured first place in the 450cc international race. Reid Taylor, also from BigRock Motorsport, astride a Kawasaki KX250, won the 250cc international race and went on to take a second-place in the all-star race, competing against 450cc bikes. Punching above his weight, Taylor kept Big Rock in good stead after Moss had a fall and his second place points helped the team very much. Ben Prasit Hallgren of Mohite’s Racing riding the Kawasaki won the 250cc India Asia Mix category. The electrifying races drew a crowd of over 8,000.

French rider Thomas wins the First moto of the day

French rider Thomas Ramette, astride a Kawasaki KX450S, began with a bang winning the first moto of the day in the 450cc SX1 for international riders. He took the hole shot and kept a marauding Matt Moss as bay for the initial laps and won with a comfortable race at the end. Germany’s Nico Koch also on a similar bike came third making it two podiums for Reise, which is now second in the team standings.

In the second moto of the day for the 250cc Asia and India mix of riders, Thailand’s Thanarat Penjan, who won a double in the first round in Pune, began with a win beating compatriot Ben Prasit Haligren but Ben came back and took the victory in the second moto. Athison Ruadero, another Thai rider, who stood third in the first moto, took another podium with a second place in the second moto. While Penjan had a hole shot and lead all the way, Athison gave a scare Ben and almost pipped him in the final lap, but fell short, losing time just before the flag.

Grand double for Reid Taylor

In the 250cc race for International riders, Reid Taylor got good points for Big Rock Motorsports with a double win. He got the hole shot in the first moto and won comfortably. However, in the second moto, after leading the race and building up a gap, he lost the front and took a nasty fall, but recovered quickly and still emerged as the race winner. French rider Julien Lebeau of Mohite’s Racing came second in both the motos.

Chief Minister thrilled

Earlier, Chief Minister, Bhupendrabhai Patel, inaugurated the second round of the three-round franchise based league, the first of its kind in the world. Patel said:”Today, it is thrilling to witness this Supercross event in Ahmedabad. Gujarat is honored to host the CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League, showcasing our commitment to sportsmanship and excellence. This event ignites passion, inspires champions, and elevates Gujarat’s global standing in motorsports.”

Veer Patel, Managing Director Lilleria Group and Co-Founder of CEAT ISRL, said:“I’m grateful to Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and the Gujarat Sports Ministry for their invaluable support in promoting motorsport. Their visionary leadership and passion helped us to organise this event successfully. The crowd’s enthusiasm was unmatched and it is our vision of establishing India as a global hub for Supercross.”

Freestyle motocross stunt riders thrilled the audience at a packed stadium.

ISRL Ro2 Ahmedabad Provisional Results:

1. SX1:- 450cc International, Moto1:

1. #206 Thomas Ramette, France, Reise Motorsports, 7:14.634; (Kawasaki KX450S);

2. #102 Matt Moss, Australia, Big Rock Motorsports; 7:16.648; (Kawasaki KX450S);

3. #20 Nico Koch, Germany, Reise Motorsports, 7:23.810; (Kawasaki KX450S);

Fastest lap: Matt Moss 36.930sec;

2. SX2: 250cc India Asia Mix, Moto1:

1. #71  Thanarat Penjan, Thailand, Big Rock Motorspors, 6:54.686; (Kawasaki KX250);

2. #31 Ben Prasit Haligren, Thiland, Mohite’s Racing Team, 6:57.710; (Kawasaki KX250);

3. #112 Athison Ruadero, Thailand, BB Racing, 7:11.274; (Honda CRF250R);

Fastest Lap: Ben Prasit 38.925sec; Penjan 38.976 seconds.

3. SX3:  250cc International Moto1:

1. #86 Reid Taylor, Australia, Big Rock Motorsports; 7:52.289; (Kawasaki KX250);

2. #259 Julien Lebeau, France, Mohite Racing; 8:03.738; (Kawasaki KX250);

3. #851 Clement Briatte, France, Gujarat Trailblazers; 8:06.223; (KTM 250SX-F);

Fastest lap: Reid Taylor 36.968 sec;

4. SX4: 250cc India Asia Mix, Moto2:

1. #31 Ben Prasit Haligren, Thailand, Mohite’s Racing Team, 7:43.652; (Kawasaki KX250);

2. #112 Athison Ruadero, Thailand, BB Racing, 7:44.459; (Honda CRF 250R);

3. #71  Thanarat Penjan, Thailand, Big Rock Motorspors, 7:54.527; (Kawasaki KX250);

Fastest lap: Ben Prasit Haligren 39.347sec;

5. SX5:  250cc International Moto2:

1. #86 Reid Taylor, Australia, Big Rock Motorsports; 7:19.866; (Kawasaki KX250);

2. #259 Julien Lebeau, France, Mohite Racing; 7:24.126; (Kawasaki KX250);

3. #335 Enzo Polias, France, Gujarat Trailblazers; 7:27.215; (KTM 250SX-F);

Fastest lap: Reid Taylor 36.958sec;

6. SX6 – Moto2: 450cc International (12 laps/7minutes +2 laps):

1. #102Matt Moss, Australia, Big Rock Motorsports, 7:50.077; (Kawasaki KX450S);

2. #911 Jordi Tixier, France, BB Racing, 7:51.621; (Honda CRF450R);

3. #491 Paul Haberland, Germany, Mohite’s Racing Team,  8:03.206; (Kawasaki KX450S);

Fastest lap: Matt Moss 36.320 seconds.

7. SX7: All Stars Race

1. #911 Jordi Tixier, France, BB Racing, 9:49.543; (Honda CRF450R);

2. #86 Reid Taylor, Australia, Big Rock, 9:52.635; (Kawasaki KX250);

3. #225 Charles Lefrancois, France, Mohite’s Racing; 9:55.992; (Kawasaki KX450S);

Fastest lap: Jordi Tixier 36.743sec;