It was a sizzler of a weekend both on and off the track for round three of the 2013 Red Bull Pro Nationals at Culham Park. 5,000 motocross fans over two days where treated to scorching temperatures and red hot racing.
In MX1, Kristian Whatley came away with the win and extended his points lead: “I’ve tried to keep it smooth today. I’ve taken my time and stayed patient with it being so hot. It’s such a hard track out there – I’ve always said this is a man’s track and you can get bit anytime. I didn’t want to holeshot, I wanted to sit there in the top three, see what the guys were doing, find lines behind them and not let them see my lines. Patience has been a virtue today.”
I very pleased Gert Krestinov finished second: “I was fast all weekend long but my results depended on my starts. The last race I got a decent start and managed to pass about eight guys and get up to second. I’m really happy with my riding and second overall is a bonus for me.”
And Nico Aubin who took third for the weekend was a little disappointed about his fitness: “The track was good and everything went good with the bike, it was just me – I wasn’t so fit this weekend. Last week I was really, really tired and I still feel sick but I’ve managed to get as much points as I can. I didn’t win but I am on the podium and to be on the podium on a hard day is always good.”
Over in MX2 Martin Barr bagged his first overall win of the season: “I’m over the moon to come back from injury and get my first overall of the year – it’s absolutely fantastic. My bike’s working fantastic and I need to say a big thank you to everyone who’s helping out and all my personal sponsors, I wouldn’t be here without them. To come away with the win today is really satisfying.”
After an impressive few weeks that saw Neville Bradshaw take overall wins at both the British Championship and the Masters, he had to settle for second at the Red Bull Pro Nationals. But Bradshaw was still pleased with the weekend’s work: “I didn’t win but it was good to make some points up on Steven and I think my riding’s been good. In the last race the pace was so fast. I knew I had to beat Martin for the overall but he came past me with four laps to go. I got back onto him but I was riding a bit over my head and the fatigue hit me pretty hard.”
MX2 class points leader, Steven Lenoir completed the podium with third: “It’s been a tough weekend – especially on the Saturday when a 450 took me out in the second corner and I came back strong from 20th on the first lap but I was not really comfortable. Still, today went better and I almost caught Bryan MacKenzie for the last race win.”
Dan Thornhill Rookies – 1st “It feels good to be back on the top of the podium and take the series lead. It’s nice to get five solid rides in – especially somewhere like here which is a real man’s track.”
Mitchell Lewis BW85cc – 1st “I’m up for the next round now. I closed a bit on Jay this weekend and I just want to keep chipping away and hopefully start taking a lot more points out of his lead. I’m going for it.”
Charlie Cole SW85cc – 1st “It was rough out there but I like it like that. There are some fast riders but I stayed consistent and did enough today to get on top of the podium and extend my championship lead.”
Kacey Hird 65cc – 1st “I’m really happy – I got my first moto win today and it’s my first overall too. It’s been brilliant. The last race was the hardest of the weekend, it’s really tough out there but to win makes it all worth it.”
Lewis Gregory 125cc 2-S Expert – 1st “I lost my unbeaten record but the main thing for me was to hold on to the championship lead. Seb was riding real well all weekend and pushed me in every race.”
Rob Holyoake 125cc 2-S Junior – 1st “That last race was a killer – I thought I had a puncture it was that slippery. It’s hard work out there on a 125 trying to get the drive for all the jumps but I’m delighted to win.”
