This weekend the British Grand Prix took place at Matterley Basin, one of the most spectator friendly circuits on the schedule and one of the favourite tracks among many riders. The event made history after hosting the first MXGP Festival, with four days full of racing and 338 riders divided into ten classes.
The Sunday started with a unique and emotional parade headed by Dave Thorpe and all the riders who were taking part in the MXGP Festival.
The MX1 and MX2 classes were the main races of the weekend and Antonio Cairoli and British star Tommy Searle taking the top steps of the podium. However, the UEM EMX riders were also a main attraction for the 35000spectators present at Matterley Basin, especially the 65cc and 85cc classes. The youngest winner was Xylian Ramella on his 65cc KTM while Brit Dylan Woodcock produced two strong rides for 13th overall in the 65cc class. It was Davy Pootjes who claimed the 85cc European Championship also on a KTM, with British youngster Conrad Mewse taking victory in the second race of the weekend and third overall.
In the UEM EMX125 class Tim Gajser won the overall over the weekend and also in the progress clinched the Championship title. For the British fans the main excitement was watching young James Dunn take a stunning victory in the second moto on Sunday morning and getting the crowd into full swing. The victory was enough to give James Dunn third overall on the weekend.
In the UEM EMX250 class Series leader Mel Pocock had a disappointed weekend by his standards, as he missed the podium for three points, but managed to retain the Red Plate. The winner of the UEM EMX250 class was Maxime Desprey after winning the two heats.
Other classes on the weekend included the World MX3 Championship, which was won by Michek Martin ahead of Gunter Schmidinger and Kasper Lynggard. The British riders finished well with Jack Brunnell taking ninth overall, along with Ross Hill in 19th overall and Geogre Purchase in 22nd.
In the one event Veterans World Championship, all British hope was pinned on last year’s runner up Phil Mercer. This year the event was won by Darryll King, ahead of Mats Nilsson and Xevi Colomer Genis. Phil Mercer finished the event in fourth and Gary Hoptrough took sixth overall. Other Brits included Matt Gordon in 8th, Paul Coward in 11th and Tony Tunnel in 17th.
In the MX2 class the majority of the British crowd were there to support the home riders and they were not to be disappointed. Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Tommy Searle produced a superb result winning both moto over Jeffrey Herlings. Tommy produced to faultless performances including two holeshots and leading every lap of both races. The British crowd was entertained with some of the closest racing of the year between the two title contenders.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings was a little bit disappointed today, because he crashed during the last lap of both heats when he was about to overtake Searle. However, as the gap Searle and Herlings had with the rest of the group was so big, the Dutch rider was able to cross the finish line second in both motos.
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Zach Osborne obtained his second podium in a row this season after finishing third overall in the British Grand Prix. The American did not have a really good start in the first heat, but he reached the third position easily at the beginning of the race and he comfortably rode in such place during the whole heat. In the second moto Osborne again had a really good start and he rode to fourth at the end of the race.
Another British rider that had a strong weekend was Jake Nicholls who produced to solid race results to finish in fifth overall on the day. Jake’s results placed him just two points behind fourth placed Van Horebeek.
Max Anstie unfortunately suffered a DNF result in the opening race, but in the second race he crossed the finish line tenth, which gave him the overall thirteenth. Other point scoring Brits included Elliott Banks Browne in 14th overall and Lewis Tombs in 24th overall
In the MX1 class it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli who had a perfect weekend at Matterley Basin, winning not only the qualifying heat on Saturday but also dominating the main races with superb authority on Sunday.
Second overall went to his teammate Max Nagl, who obtained his first podium finish of the season after his comeback from his back injury. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider had two great starts and managed to keep riding with the front group in both heats.
Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin was back on the podium this weekend thanks to his 4-3 result. The French has not been on the podium since the MXGP of Portugal
Fourth overall was Ken De Dycker, who missed the podium this weekend for only two points. In the first race the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider gained a really good start but he made several mistakes during the heat and he dropped from second to third in the very last lap of the first moto. In the second one he also made a mistake when in fifth and moved down to eighth before finally crossing the finish line fifth.
Scottish rider Shaun Simpson suffered a testing weekend at Matterley and was only able to finish twelfth overall. Other Brits included Alfie Smith in 19th overall, Alex Snow in 21st overall, Graeme Irwin in 22nd, Kristian Whatley in 23rd and Jamie Law 24th.