LOCAL riders Matt Moss (Suzuki) and Luke Styke (Yamaha) have turned in strong performances in their respective divisions at the eighth and penultimate round of the 2008 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals in Victoria.

Moss won the Pro Lites class, while Styke posted a third and a first in the two motos to be second overall and now fourth outright in the under 19s.

Similarly to the Pro Opens Class, there was no change to the championship leaders with Luke George (Kawasaki) still holding onto the red plates in the Pro Lites and Tye Simmonds (KTM) still out the front in the 19s.

The first Pro Lites moto was all about Adam Monea (Kawasaki) who took not only the holeshot, but also the race win.

While Monea streaked ahead it soon became a battle between Moss, George and Honda’s Kade Mosig for second and third, with Moss eventually triumphing over Mosig and moving in on Monea.

In the second moto it seemed that George had re-grouped, coming out hard and fast to take the holeshot and the lead closely followed out by Monea.

This time, however, Monea lost the bike, coming down in one of the final turns on the circuit, allowing Moss to slip by.

As Moss caught up with the series leader, it was the section of whoops that George once again struggled with that allowed Moss to make up some valuable ground.

At the chequered flag it was Moss by a whisker, ahead of George in second and Mosig in third.

I’ve been training so hard recently,” Moss said.

“I’m so happy with the team’s support even though we’re not going for the Championship win; we are looking to go one-one again in the final round next week.”

The first under 19s moto was one of only a few races that escaped the rain, and it soon became a battle between Cachia and Simmonds for first place, with Styke (Yamaha) rounding out the top three.

In the second moto Styke found form on the now slippery track, taking the holeshot and breaking out to quite a lead.

Styke was chased down by Simmonds and Lawson Bopping (Suzuki), who was unable to find form on the wet track and soon, put his bike down in an uncharacteristic spill.

With Bopping down, Cachia rose into the top three, however in the dying laps of the moto Simmonds stalled in a late corner and was unable to get his ride started again, allowing Matt Ryan (Yamaha) to slip by and into the top three.

The Pro Lites Championship Standings are - 1: Luke George (Kawasaki) 311, 2: Adam Monea (Kawasaki) 304, 3: Kade Mosig (Honda) 299, 4: Dean Ferris (Honda) 211, 5: Ryan Marmont (KTM) 208

Under 19s Championship Stand-ings - 1: Tye Simmonds (KTM) 190, 2: Matt Ryan (Yamaha) 181, 3: Lawson Bopping (Suzuki) 176, 4: Luke Styke (Yamaha) 154, 5: Shaun Williamson (Yamaha) 151.

The ninth and final round of the 2008 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals will be held at Coolum Pines Motocross Park.