Billy Askew has dominated the British youth scene in 2023 and is Britain’s next big hope for some badly needed international success.
His first step in climbing the mountain was getting his feet wet at his home GP in the EMX250 division, a class he will race full time next year!
Billy showed some good speed and potential at Matterley Basin. After finishing outside the points in race one, he then stepped it up in race two placing a strong 13th place, showing he is a quick learner with the natural talent to make it, but he knows he has more to work on this winter to be a contender in 2024.
We caught up with Billy to talk about his experience of EMX250 and his brilliant season in 2023.
Billy, a big improvement today, what were your thoughts on your first EMX250 race?
Yesterday we struggled a bit with bike settings and me altogether, we had the pace just couldn’t put it together and made a few silly mistakes. Coming into today we decided to improve on yesterday, which we did by a long shot which we are really happy with. I am really happy with how we did in that second race and hopefully we can do better next year.
You were in the points yesterday then dropped out of the points, did you get arm pump or something because you were quick enough in the first half of the race?
I was just making a lot of silly mistakes and I got a bit tired. When I got tired I was making loads of mistakes and people were coming past me. I just didn’t have a good flow.
The second moto you got a really good start in sixth but you dropped to 12th in a lap but from there you seemed to get your rhythm. It was pretty intense the first lap, people everywhere!
Yeah, that first lap is very intense. I have to work on that, I learnt a lot on the first lap. Hopefully next year we can come in swinging, get a good start and run up front with them boys.
Were you nervous coming into this? It was a bit of an unknown for you?
Yeah, I was nervous but I was excited to see what I could do. Yeah, I am happy how I did.
You didn’t seem intimidated by any of the other names there!
No, I wasn’t really intimidated, I knew they were going to be fast. I just went out to get some experience and be ready for next year. Now we know how fast these boys are and what we need to work on.
Your season overall was pretty much flawless, off an 85 and winning everything in the UK!
Yeah, I was just off an 85 last year, so to do what I did, I was very happy with my season.
Did you find it a difficult adjustment to ride the 250? You look pretty natural on it!
Yeah, at first I was a bit timid, a bit scared but by the first round it sort of just clicked the week before and I just got better and better every time I have rode it.
Finally, Tommy Searle, he has been your teammate this year, what have you learnt from him? He has experienced all these steps to get to the top.
Yeah, Tommy has definitely helped me a lot. Last night he sent me a message after the race and said what I should have done and what I needed to do. He has definitely helped me a lot.
And you are pretty famous now with his vlogs, that will probably help get your name out there on the European scene!
Yeah, him and Ed have got my name out there, so yeah, thanks for that!
Interview: Jonathan McCready
Images: Nigel McKinstry
