Heads & All Threads Suzuki headed to the Cadder’s Hill circuit in Lyng, Norfolk for the first round of the 2016 Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship, supported by Pro Clean, last Sunday.
With the new two race format (used to be three motos) it was a little less hectic with a more relaxed atmosphere for the team and its three riders of Josh Spinks, Neville Bradshaw and Jordan Eccles.
Qualifying finished for MX2 with Neville Bradshaw in 11th and Jordan Eccles in 35th after a crash forced him into the pit area for repairs to his RM-Z250. Josh Spinks in MX1 pushed for 15th.
In the first MX2 moto Bradshaw, who was riding with a knee that was less than 100 per cent, got a good start out of the gate completing Lap 1 in ninth position, he was flying and had moved up to seventh until a rear wheel puncture with 10 minutes to go forced him to drop back to 15th. Eccles had a poor start and struggled to find his speed, he passed the flag in 27th.
Spinks was mid-pack at the start of his first MX1 race but steadily moved through the pack to a well deserved 13th by the end of the 25 minute plus 2 lap moto.
Bradshaw and Eccles were both fired up to improve results from the first race but Bradshaw was mid-pack with a lot of work to do. Another bad gate saw Eccles bringing up the rear round the first corner.
Bradshaw fought his way through to ninth and Eccles was riding well but his chain snapped half way through the race forcing him to retire.
“Average start to the season really,” said Neville Bradshaw. “Race 1 was up to seventh and had a rear wheel issue 15 minutes in and just had to circulate. I was glad to finish 15th and pick up a few points.
“Race 2 I got a bad start just outside top 20 and managed to work my way up to ninth by the finish, on a track that was tough to pass on. So 10th overall and not far off the championship contenders in the points.
“I’m happy with my riding and happy with my bike setup. We have a few weeks now until our next race to fine tune a few things and get my knee back to 100 per cent. “I’m excited for the next British at Canada Heights.”
Jordan Eccles commented: “Not the best days racing for me….struggled in Quali and Race 1 with a pulled groin, which was causing a lot of pain.
“Race 2 felt a lot better had a strong pace going and was in a reasonable position until around the 15 minute mark when unfortunately the chain snapped.
“It happens, but now just have to set my focus and bring the results home that I know I am capable of.”
In MX1 Moto 2 Spinks was mid-pack again at the start but rode a gritty race fighting through to 13th in the now rough conditions.
Josh Spinks said: “Had a 15th in qualifying which gave me a reasonable pick on the start for Race 1. I went a little too early on the start and missed the jump so started around 25th position. I made some good passes and pushed to 13th.
“Again in the Race 2 a bad jump left me outside the top 20. I came through the pack to finish 13th which gave me 12th overall on the day. I’m looking for more at Round 2 as I feel my starts really let me down today. However, the bike is working well and I feel comfortable.”
“Overall I am really happy with today,” said team manager Neil Prince. “Josh today was a big improvement from the previous event and 12th overall was a good start.
“His class has 15 fast top quality riders and we aim to break the top 10 at the next event.
“Neville again showed he is in a good place at the moment. In his first race while battling for sixth he had a puncture, this sadly, through no fault of his own, cost him a good overall result today.
“Jordan showed he needs to learn in practise and qualifying. He rode tight in the first race but redeemed himself in the second, until a rock jammed in the front sproket and snapped his chain.”
The next event for the team is Round 2 of the MX Nationals at Landrake, Sunday April 10.
