Round three of the Garmin Arenacross Tour stopped off at the LG Arena, Birmingham on Saturday night and the packed venue welcomed a long list of top riders. If you’ve ever been to an Arenacross round you know how the action comes thick and fast and the Birmingham round didn’t disappoint.
As well as the full-on racing we were treated to a cameo appearance from number one British rider, Tommy Searle, Edgar Torronteras’ legendary beatbox, some donuts from Liam Doran in his rallycross beast and the always sick Bolddog freestyle team. You certainly get your money’s worth at Arenacross UK.
After the tricky (soft) track conditions for rounds one and two in Belfast, there was a complete change for round three with a hard-packed slick surface but it certainly wasn’t any easier for the riders and teams with a number of mx veterans, rookies and red hot favourites falling foul of it on the night.
In the Pro heats Neville Bradshaw came through his first heat without any problems but local favourite, Steven Clarke’s first heat wasn’t so good. After a crackerjack start and pulling out a good lead he went down and would need to rely on the LCQ.
He wasn’t the only top rider that needed to rely on Last Chance Quali – there were some big names at the gate – Clarke, Law, Smith, Ando, Nunny and Tyler Villopoto!
Anderson took the lead followed by Clarke, Voase and then Law but Dougan and Arbon went down. Clarke passed Anderson for the lead with one lap to go while Voase dropped it. Clarke wins the LCQ with Ando taking the last Main Event spot.
Plenty of action in the Head-to-Head with Whatley comfortably winning against Bradshaw and a close battle between Frenchman Coulon and Aussie McCoy (McCoy took the win). But the best was saved for last with team-mates Izoird and Rombaut in the Final. Rombaut had a great block pass, but Izoird went round the outside. Izoird had the lead going into the last corner and held for the win.
So no Villopoto in the Main Event but a great line up with Maxxis British motocross champions EBB and Whatley; Bradshaw, Mackenzie, Coulon, Clarke and Izoird included.
But it was veteran McCoy who took the holey, with Izoird in second and Whatley in third. Izoird tried to pass McCoy but McCoy held it. Whatley dropped back from the two pilots in front while Izoird took the lead and started to pull away. And that’s how it ends.
Flying Frenchman Fabien Izoird is still at the top of the series standings, Daniel McCoy takes over second place and Steven Clarke is just one point further behind in third. Izoird’s team-mate Loic Rombaut sits in fourth and Whatley moves up one place to fifth.
Next up is round four at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on February 2 and you can book your tickets at www.arenacrossuk.com
