Masters chases Oz gold medal

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From the SGB website:
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SAM Masters believes his win in the Australian Championship second round has put him in the frame for the gold medal.

The Wolverhampton and Edinburgh hero, who will also race for Championship Edinburgh in 2017, romped to victory in Mildura on Saturday.

And he says his weaker round is now out the way at the half-way stage of the title race.

“Gillman was the first round and that was my weakest track of the championship,” said Masters.

“I feel great after winning the second round and it’s made me feel pretty confident of making a push to win the title.

“If I can have a strong finish then I reckon I’ll be pretty close at least. I’m just so happy with the way I’m feeling and riding and let’s see if I can carry it on.”

The title race continues to Undera this Wednesday before the deciding round at Kurri Kurri next weekend.

Masters will return to Europe in good time for the launch of the new domestic season with Wolverhampton defending their title in the rebranded SGB Premiership.

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (After 2 Rounds): 1 Dave Watt 32, 2 Justin Sedgmen 29, 3 Sam Masters 26, 4 Max Fricke 25, 5 Nick Morris 22, 6 Troy Batchelor 20, 7 Brady Kurtz 15, 8= Jack Holder 13, Josh Pickering 13, Rohan Tungate 13, 11 Ty Proctor 12, 12 Jaimon Lidsey 11, 13 Todd Kurtz 9, 14 Mason Campton 7, 15= Cooper Riordan 6, Jordan Stewart 6.

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From the SGB website:
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SAM Masters is relishing his Australian Championship showdown with Justin Sedgmen at Kurri Kurri on Saturday.

Sedgmen took victory in round 3 at Undera on Wednesday with Masters matching his 17-point total, so Sedgmen heads the series by three points with the pair having overhauled previous leader Davey Watt.

Wolves and Edinburgh star Masters said: “It was a good day for me at Undera, and I was pleased to pick up 17 points. It would have been nicer if I was less than three points off Sedgy at the top though as he’s going pretty fast at the moment!

“Saturday at Kurri Kurri is definitely going to be interesting, especially as the weather forecast looks pretty dodgy.

“I’m looking forward to it, and at the end of the day whatever is meant to be will be.”

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WATT BATTLES BACK TO CLINCH BRONZE

BMR Rocket Davey Watt left Wednesday’s frustration at Undera firmly behind him with a tremendous display in tonight’s final round at Kurri Kurri that ensures third place overall in the Australian Championship series.

An emphatic opening race victory set the scene for Watt’s night, with four subsequent second places leaving the Queensland State title winner comfortably through to the “B” Final with 11 points.

Although unable to place in that additional heat, with rival Max Fricke – who had started the meeting level on points with Watt – finishing the night with just 8, and next candidate Troy Batchelor pegged back to third spot in the “A” Final, Davey ultimately had the bronze in the bag with a point to spare.

Defending champion Brady Kurtz won big on the last night of the series, but finished seventh overall as Sam Masters lifted his first national title following successive runner-up finishes, while Justin Sedgmen claimed the silver position, some 3 points behind Masters and 5 ahead of Watt.

All three, together with fourth placed Troy Batchelor, also made it through to the Speedway Grand Prix qualifiers.

But that’s a story for another time.

Congratulations, Davey!

Scorers (main 20 race programme):

Sam Masters 14, Brady Kurtz 13, Troy Batchelor 12 (qualified directly for “A” Final), Rohan Tungate 11, Davey Watt 11, Nick Morris 9, Justin Sedgmen 9 (qualified for “B” Final), Max Fricke 8, Mason Campton 8, Todd Kurtz 6, Ty Proctor 6, Jaimon Lidsey 4, Jack Holder 3, Jordan Stewart 2, Josh Pickering 2, Cooper Riordan 2

“B” Final (winner to “A” Final):
Nick Morris, Justin Sedgmen, Rohan Tungate, Davey Watt

“A” Final:
Brady Kurtz, Nick Morris, Troy Batchelor, Sam Masters

Final series standings:

1 Sam Masters 58, 2 Justin Sedgmen 55, 3 Davey Watt 50, 4 Troy Batchelor 49, 5 Max Fricke 47, 6 Nick Morris 43, 7 Brady Kurtz 42, 8 Rohan Tungate 30, 9 Jack Holder 26, 10 Ty Proctor 22, 11 Mason Campton 20, 12 Jaimon Lidsey 19, 13= Todd Kurtz 17, Josh Pickering 17, 15 Jordan Stewart 15, 16 Cooper Riordan 9