WITH the roar of the V8 Supercars done and dusted for the day, a healthy crowd of motor sport fans turned their attention to Friday night's opening round of the Australian Supercross Championship at the Bathurst Showground.
Defending Supercross champion Matt Moss picked up where he left off, claiming the 450 class win ahead of Kawasaki's Adam Monea and KTM rider Kirk Gibbs.
The Team Motul Suzuki rider decimated the field, and was virtually unchallenged throughout the race.
"Due to MXoN [Motorcross of Nations] I didn't actually have the best Supercross preparation," Moss explained.
"But the bike is really good and I am as fit as I could possibly be.
"Once I got out in front I just tried to maintain it."
In his wake, the battle for the other two podium positions was full of grit and determination.
His brother Jake Moss held second position for a few laps, but he lost the front end and lost valuable track position, allowing his Kawasaki team-mate, Monea to move into the number two spot.
Despite an epic battle with Gibbs, Monea held on to claim the second step of the dais.
The Supercross 2 field was stacked with talent from home and abroad, with US racers Gavin Faith and Kyle Peters returning for another shot at an Australian title.
Faith grabbed the holeshot and the early lead, but a mistake early in proceedings relegated the Honda rider to outside the top 10.
Like he has done numerous times here in Australia, he remounted and put on a brave charge, climbing the order to clinch the final spot on the podium.
KTM racer Brendan Harrison stole the show with a start to chequered flag victory.
"The win last night has given me good confidence," Harrison said. "I got the monkey off my back finally with that win.
"I am really looking forward to the rest of the series, still ecstatic about last night but I have to move on and finish the season off strong."
Harrison showed the crowd and the competition that he is a force to be reckoned with in this championship.
US import Kyle Peters impressed early, steering his Honda to a strong second place finish.
