The Apico Husqvarna team convened Saturday afternoon for set-up in unexpected rain after the long drive to Canada Heights in Kent.
With Jamie Law and Zac Stealey sitting this round out due to niggling injuries, the team were represented in MX1 by Stuart Edmonds and in MX2 by Matt Burrows. Both riders had made unexpected bike changes, and after going better in their training, more was expected after the challenges of the first few rounds of the Championships.
MX2
After a disappointing qualifying due to the nature of the tight Kent track and being in a group of riders, Matt Burrows posted a 19th fastest going to the line. After the start, Matt was buried outside the top 20, though went on to push through to 15th place before arm pump set in and he lost a few positions down to 18th at the line.
The second race started well, managing to avoid the second corner crash Matt got the hammer down and was moving forward into seventh position when disaster struck. A simple dab into a corner was enough to end Mattās day, knowing heād either broken his leg or ankle he returned to the team set up with what we were later to find was a broken ankle.
This was a crushing blow to Matt and the team after what looked to be the performance of the season so far.
We wish Matt well with his recovery and will update you all on his recovery and return to racing over the coming months.
MX1
Stuart Edmonds has had a tough start to the season. But after making crucial suspension changes, and managing to knock seconds off his lap times during the week, Stuart headed into the third round of the Championship feeling positive and hungry for progression.
After trying to get a quick lap in sticking with Tommy Searle in qualifying, this didnāt come off and 19th fastest was all the Dubliner could achieve.
The difference came in the first race, a good start and moving forward to seventh position for the most part of the race Stuart looked like he was back to ā162eyā form, giving a strong performance for eighth at the line.
After a tough start in the second race and getting caught up with another rider for the majority of the race, Stuart again got his head down and pushed to 11th at the line.
Stuart Edmonds: āIād had some important bikes changes and some rest coming into the round, this helped me massively with the preparation. Qualifying was tricky, though better than previous rounds.
“The first race was tricky, avoided a few crashes, though managed to settle into a rhythm and push to seventh. I had to ease towards the flag as I thought I had a puncture. Unfortunately, this is where Krestinov made a place on me before the flag.
“In the second race, with confidence, I felt good and pushed on for my season-best ninth overall. I feel I can build on this performance and am happy with the changes Iāve made to the bike.
“Iād like to thank my mechanic for this weekend, Alastair, Apico Husqvarna, CCM and all their sponsors as well as my private sponsors, without these guys it would be possible.”
Dylan Brown: āA bittersweet round if Iām honest, the team came into the round with riders out due to injuries. Then Matt, after a great start in the second race, had a bit of a freak accident that didnāt involve another rider or a crash and came away with a broken ankle.
“Thankfully, Stuart had a great round getting back to where we know he should be. We are unsure of Mattās recovery period at this juncture, though wish him a speedy recovery. We should be back to at least a two-man team for the next round at Blaxhall, where Zac Stealey and hopefully Jamie Law should rejoin the team.”
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