New Zealand rider Daryl Hurley's campaign for a second Australian Pro Open motocross title got off to a flying start when he won the opening round in Tasmania on the weekend.
His Suzuki teammate and New Zealand Supercross champion Luke Burkhart, from Hawera, provided good support, finishing fourthoverall at Penguin's Blackwood Park circuit.
New Zealand Open and supercross champion Hurley, who won his first Australian title in 2005 and finished second last year, was in top form, winning the first heat and runner-up in the second.
Second overall was Hurley's great rival, defending champion Craig Anderson of Australia.
Both Hurley and Burkhart were delighted with the performance of their all new fuel-injected Suzuki RM-Z450s.
"I am happy to get good points on the board and I am fit and feeling good so the rest of the season is shaping up well," Hurley said.
"I know I have the speed to win races this year so that's my next target," Burkhart said.
Leading standings after the first round of the Australian Pro Open motocross championships in Tasmania: DARYL HURLEY (NZ) 47 points 1, Craig Anderson 42 2, Jay Marmont 40 3, LUKE BURKHART (NZ) 36 4, Michael Addison 30 5.
