Sunshine state turns to mud

Local rider Brock Winston recovered from a mishap early in the race to finish fourth in the pro lites.

POURING rain forced organisers to postpone many of the afternoon races at the Shell Sunshine State Motocross Series at Coolum’s Quanda Road track on Sunday.

The muddy conditions meant just one race was contested in some divisions of the opening round of the series, including the blue ribbon pro open and pro lite categories.

Yamaha rider Luke Styke took out the pro lites race ahead of Harley Quinlan and Ryan Marmont.

Cooran’s Brock Winston recovered from a mishap early in the race to finish fourth.

The 22-year-old has won the past two titles but hasn’t raced since August when he broke his collarbone for a second time.

“I was coming second and my hand slipped off the handlebars heading into a corner and I fell off,” Winston said.

“It’s probably the wettest conditions I’ve ever ridden in, I’d say. It was shocking.”

Sunshine Coast rider Thomas Rushton won the 15-years junior lites division.

Rushton finished a close second in the opening race before winning the second.

In the pro open class, Dean Ferris proved too strong for Todd Waters and Steven Smith.