Holmes grits his teeth
By Andy Foulkes on 12th Apr 13
BRITISH QX champion Paul Holmes begins the defence of his title on Sunday, April 14, at Milton in his first race since smashing his collarbone in January.
The 25-year-old Yorkshireman was injured crashing a motocross bike on the first day of his return to training after the
winter break.
"It was plated and pinned with nine screws, but when I went back to hospital after six weeks it was still fractured. It has been very slow to heal,” admits Holmes.
"I'm going to try and race as I really want to defend my championship, but I don't think it is going to be easy after six months without riding. I'll grit my teeth and get as many points as I can.”
Yamaha-mounted Holmes knows the Northamptonshire track well after taking victory there the last time a British championship race was held at Milton in 2011. But he will face stiff opposition from Suzuki's Carl Bunce, the reigning British X-Country champion, and British Under 21 champion Luke Cooper (KTM).
The ACU-run venue has had thousands spent on it in the last three years to improve the track and infrastructure, and with raised banks around the perimeter it now offers excellent spectator viewing of the entire circuit.
Track conditions are now said to be near perfect after a week of preparation and should be ideal for Sunday's action.
Milton, which is now a regular fixture on the Maxxis British solo championship calendar, is also one of the easiest tracks in the country to get to, being just off the M1 near Northampton (NN7 3AP).
Practice starts at 9.am with racing straight after.
Entry is just £10 for adults and £5 for children.
