The jubilee weekend sees a whole heap of off-road action going off around the globe so after a few days silence here’s a quick round-up…
So we’ve all enjoyed – or not – a super-long weekend courtesy of the Queen but it’s back to the grindstone now which means it’s gonna be Superweb Wednesday here at DBR Towers.
To kick things off let’s head Stateside where the third round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship went off at Thunder Valley. After winning the first four motos of the year in the 450 class and taking the early race lead in Colorado everyone though that James Stewart was gonna keep his win streak alive. But, after allegedly getting distracted by a photographer crossing the track Officer James got a little cross-rutted and crashed hard. With the Floridian sidelined Ryan Dungey takes a double win on the factory KTM and the lead in the series.
In the 250 class Thunder Valley sees the third rider stand atop the podium this year with Justin Barcia being that latest overall winner with a 1-2 scorecard. Former Rage cover star Blake Baggett holds on to the series lead by taking second overall with a 3-1 while Ken Roczen claims third with a 2-4.
Back in Blighty the second round of the Red Bull Pro Nationals went down at a wet and wild FatCat Motoparc that saw a year’s worth of rain fall in a day – or that’s how it felt at least. After parting terms with LPE Kawasaki mid-week, Martin Barr turned out on a Tyco Suzuki and promptly kicked some ass to take the overall win in MX1. Barty runs 2-1 to take the top step on the podium ahead of Lanes Kawasaki’s Marc de Reuver who ends the day with a 1-2 scorecard. Stephen Sword’s third overall with a 3-3. Swordy holds on to the red plate while De Reuver slots into second ahead of Barr and Buildbase Honda’s Nico Aubin.
Emberson Yamaha’s Steven Lenoir takes a double victory in the MX2 class to take the overall and the lead in the series. Team-mate Graeme Irwin runs 2-2 in Yorkshire ahead of Evo-Tech Stevens Honda’s Nev Bradshaw who also has a consistent day taking a pair of thirds. In the championship chase Lenoir leads on 94 ahead of Bradshaw, Irwin and last year’s rookies champ Nathan Watson.
Across the English Channel in Saint Jean d’Angely, France, it’s the sixth round of the world championships. Disappointingly Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings takes the overall win with a 1-2 as Tommy Searle can only reach third in moto one after a duff start and even duffer second straight before he absolutely dominates the second moto from start to finish. Jake Nicholls and Max Anstie finish seventh and eighth overall. Elliott Banks-Brown is a non-starter due to a hand injury.
In MX1 Tony Cairoli increases his championship lead with a double victory on the hardpack hillside circuit. Christophe Pourcel and Gautier Paulin trade seconds and thirds with CP377 taking second overall courtesy of the better second moto tie-breaker rule. Shaun Simpson ends the day 18th overall with 14-18 results while UK import Matiss Karro claims 13th overall on the STR KTM while stand-in team-mate Jamie Law runs 24-23 while Alfie Smith goes 25-27.
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Mel Pocock leads the EMX-250 championship after the opening round. Young Ginge runs 1-1 on the day beating Jeremy Seewer and Stefan Kjer Olsen. T’other Brits in the Euro class James Dunn and Lewis Tombs end the day 18th and 19th overall.
