Josh drops back in Oz

NEWS Sunday 7th January 2024, 12:40pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Today's second leg of the Australian Championship was within walking distance of Josh's home town, but he made a slow start to the event with two third places and although he won his next one, he suffered an exclusion after coming off in heat 20 when he would have needed a second place to reach the semi.

In fact nobody reached the semi-final because the meeting was abandoned after the qualifying heats due to the state of the track, not worthy of the event.

It was a long, slow meeting with most heats decided from the gate. The outside gates this time round proved the most productive – and Josh drew two gate 1's. It would be nice if he had a bit more luck in this department but he will be disappointed with today's score in front of his local crowd.

Points scored:

Rohan Tungate 14, Jack Holder 12, Max Fricke 12, Zach Cook 9, Chris Holder 8, Jack Holder 8, Sam Masters 8, Jaimon Lidsey 8, Ryan Douglas 8, Brady Kurtz 8, Josh Pickering 7, Michael West 4, Jye Etheridge 4, James Pearson 4, Fraser Bowes 3, Keynan Rew 2.

Rohan Tungate leads the title race after two meetings with 30 points, from Max Fricke 27, Jaimon Lidsey 23, Jack Holder 22 and Josh Pickering 19.