Double podium for Buildbase Honda at Foxhill
Josh Gilbert signed off on top in the Pro MX2 class and Lewis Tombs secured third on the day and second overall in the Pro MX1 championship as Buildbase Honda enjoyed a successful sixth and final round of the Michelin MX Nationals series at Foxhill on Sunday.
With his title already retained at the previous round the pressure was off but Josh wasn’t about to rest on his laurels and he topped qualifying in his class by almost two-and-a-half seconds.
After hitting the gate in the opening 25-minute plus two lap race, Josh worked his way forwards in the mixed-capacity ‘Fastest 40’ moto and was lead Pro MX2 rider on his CRF250R before crashing. However, he was up quickly and immediately regained his rhythm before reclaiming the class lead and going on to win by almost 11 seconds.
The second moto was much less eventful with the Cornishman starting second in class, hitting the front early on and cruising to a 26-second win.
“The gates weren’t dropping properly and in the first race I hit it,” said Josh. “I managed to get into the lead and then crashed and had to do it all over again but in the second I got a decent start and just rode my own race and had a comfortable lead by the end.
“It’s been a perfect end to the championship for me. It was a bit up and down at the start of the season but after the halfway point I’ve been first MX2 rider home in every moto so I managed to turn it around.”
Lewis headed into Foxhill with the objective of maintaining his second place in the Pro MX1 points standings and he started the day by posting fourth in qualification on his CRF450R before holding down a race-long fourth in the opening moto to make sure of championship silver in his rookie season in the big-bike class.
Back in fifth after the opening lap of race two, he then worked his way up to third by half-distance which he held to the flag.
“It’s great to end the series with a podium finish today to make sure of second in the championship,” said Lewis. “It didn’t start off too well at the opening round but as I got used to the extra power of the 450 and started to gel with it everything began to come good.”
The team’s Japanese guest rider Shiaru Honda also enjoyed a successful weekend in the MXY2 class on his CRF250R and matched his season-best race finish with a pair of 10th-placed results on Sunday for an impressive 11th overall in the fiercely-contested class.
Today’s racing activities were overseen by Ryan Thorpe and he was delighted with the team’s performance.
“It’s been a really good day for the team,” said Ryan. “Josh hit the gate in the opening race but came back through to eighth in the moto and was first Pro MX2 rider across the line. In the second he made a quick pass for the lead in MX2 and then comfortably controlled the race.
“Lewis secured second in the Pro MX1 championship in the first race which was good enough to make sure of a Honda 1-2 in the series which is brilliant.
“Shiaru has improved all season and his two 10th-placed finishes today equalled his best race result of the year. We’re very happy with how he’s progressed – he’s come on a lot.
“It’s been a great championship for us and I’m very happy that we’ve signed off with both Josh and Lewis on the podium.”
