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Race reflections: Duns British championship – an exciting mudder!

Race reflections: Duns British championship – an exciting mudder!

A brilliantly prepared track greeted the riders at Duns but after a dry MX2 practice the rain started and never let up all day forcing the organisers to cancel the second MX1 moto as the  second MX2 race was the definition of a mudder!

It was unfortunate timing for Bryan MacKenzie and his crew, with Scotland having their hottest days on the Thursday and Friday before the event and even warm, dry days surrounding the race on Saturday and Monday, but just not the Sunday when it mattered! However despite the rain there were still some great racing and impressive performances.

It was a tough day for MX2 championship leader Conrad Mewse who had a poor start, a crash and a bike issue in race one but he never stopped charging and took 14th followed by another come-from-behind ride in the mud to second in race two. Given the circumstances, Mewse did a good job of limiting the damage in the championship.

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Pic: J McCready

Josh Gilbert was superb in race one in MX2. Running away from the field and holding the gap when he needed too. Gilbert looked smooth and comfortable out front, the kid is very, very impressive this season and is fully deserving of his upgraded ride to a full Buildbase Honda team member, his confidence seems to get higher every week and his style is textbook.

Winner of MX2 race two, Jay Hague, dealt with the conditions and the pressure of leading superbly to take a well deserved win. Even when his lead was shrinking towards the end of the race, he didn’t make a big mistake and was absolutely delighted with the win, despite the weather. It’s always good to have some new winners in the class, and Hague will get some big confidence coming into the final rounds.

It was a great day for Revo Husqvarna duo Mel Pocock and Martin Barr going 1-2 overall, Pocock showed brilliant speed and determination both times out, he came from way back in race one and fought hard once again in race two despite five crashes to pass Barr on the last lap to nick the overall off his frustrated teammate.

But Barr was on the pace all day and crucially was getting decent starts, a small tip over in race on dropped Barr from third to fifth but Barr found more pace after that and came back through to third and nearly nabbed second. It looked like Barr was sure to get second in race two and win the overall but painful eyes from the mud and some back markers combined to prevent Barr from getting the win, as he lost two valuable positions on the final lap.

Barr

Irish rider Glenn McCormick impressed in race one running as high as fourth before ending up and brilliant eighth in the best moto of his British championship career and it looked like James Mackrel would make it three Irish riders in the top ten only for a late race crash to cost Mackrel what could have been his best British championship moto.

Home rider Alex Brown was also flying all day! Brown qualified second overall and was running inside the top three, ven a mistake couldn’t prevent Brown from staying a among the contenders in race one and as he showed what he can really do when he is comfortable, he certainly wouldn’t be a bad shout for a major team to pick up in 2019.

MX1 just had one moto but it was hero to zero for unfortunate defending champ Graeme Irwin, who was pole by two seconds over second place, only to have his day ended by the third corner of lap one! Irwin was around sixth but had the right side of his back wheel clipped by another rider derailing the chain and ending Irwin’s day there and then with the cancellation of race two, hitting hard the Northern Irishman’s chances of defending his title.

Irwin forced out of moto one at Duns

Jake Nicholls rode steady for fourth but Brad Andrson was flying, looking back to his best and passing Nicholls before catching Monticelli at the end of the moto with the Italian holding off the determined Verde KTM rider. There is no doubt Ando adds a lot when he is on form and charging like he was at Duns.

Equally impressive was Monticelli who did his best to close down Bobryshev, the Italian is starting to show his GP speed in what is a very competitive British championship series in 2018.

But the day belonged to Evgeny Bobryshev who got into the lead and simply controlled the race to take the win and cut Jake Nicholls lead in the series down to 12 points with three rounds to go a the title chase really hots up.

Whatley was back in British championship action

A mention too to Hooper Yamaha UK duo of the Ryan Houghton and Kristian Whatley both riders battling in the top five for a time in race one and it was nice to see Whatley back on track and showing flashes of his old smooth style and speed.

The day ended in a wet and muddy mess and the MX1 riders by and large appeared relieved that they didn’t have to race in the mud like the MX2 in what appeared to be the right decision with visibility not great with the mist never mind the mud.

A word too for young Joel Rizzi who won the MXY2 class on a YZ125 against the 250fs. Rizzi has a real natural talent on the bike and rides with great intelligence as well, making good decisions with lines and when to push and lay up. Keep an eye on this kid’s progress!

The riders dried out and will be back in action at Hawkstone Park in under two weeks time and hopefully the weather will be much improved!

Words and pics: Jonathan McCready