Mitch Godden’s hopes of a Sand Ace hat-trick were hit by ignition problems. (Picture by Tony Rive)

DEFENDING champion Mitch Godden triumphed in two of his heats on Saturday, was second twice but, disastrously for his overall points score, did not finish another as his bike played up.

‘We did quite a bit of water-proofing, but not enough in the right parts,’ he added ruefully.  ‘The problem was the ignition.’

Godden started in gate eight for the final, while Queripel, who scored more qualifying points than anyone, had first pick for starting gate and went from the middle. But the champion still felt he could win the A final which brought the curtain down on a superb afternoon’s entertainment in the sun.

‘I came through from fourth, to third and then to second. I was catching him [Queripel] up, but then got water in the spark plug.’ Consequently, his Godden machine began to misfire and he lost two places in the closing stages to place fifth.