It's the Knight life!
By TMX Archives on 20th Feb 08
THE much-anticipated opening round of the GBXC Championship series kicked off on Sunday at the hallowed Matchams Park circuit, near Ringwood. A co-production between Paul Edmondson and Steve Ireland, two of Britain's most recognised XC promoters, the whole thing had all the hallmarks of a quality event, which attracted a top-notch entry.
The series could have been called the GNCC GB, as Red Bull KTM's David Knight said: It's the closest thing you'll get to the GNCC in Europe!
Matchams is well-known for its quality MX track but the addition of two long loops through woodland sections gave riders a six-mile course to navigate and the motocross track was by far the easiest part.
The layout made for a rough, tough, fast and flowing lap which was used initially by the Novice, Sportsman, Veteran Over 40, Ladies and Youth riders during a two-hour morning race, and then by the Pro, Expert, Clubman 2T and 4T for the 2.75-hour afternoon event.
The partnership between fasteddyracing.com and WOR Events surprised many people when it was announced. The two organisations are in competition with each other year-in year-out but more than a little foresight and the ability to see the big picture, brought out the best in both organisations and attracted nearly three-hundred riders to the Hampshire venue.
Both organisations should be commended on their vision by realising that what is good for the sport, through TV coverage and top quality promotion, benefits both promoters and all involved in off-road sport. Eddy and Ireland paid a TV production company to attend and were not, as many people believed, paid to allow them to film the event. Roger Harvey was in control in the microphone giving excellent commentary throughout both races and finding time to interview many of the Pro riders and winners throughout the day.
GREAT BRITAIN X-COUNTRY CHAMPS
Rd 1 Matchams Park, Hants (GBXC)
Pro: 1 David Knight (Red Bull KTM), 2 Jason Thomas (Honda), 3 Ash Greedy (PAR Honda), 4 Tom Sagar (D3 KTM), 5 Si Wakeley (MPS Husqvarna), 6 Euan McConnell (530 TM), 7 Darren Coutts (???), 8 Ricky Mair (???), 9 Darren Carter (Red-Line KTM), 10 Jason Fraser (St Blazey Husqvarna).
Expert: 1 Mark Roberts, 2 Bradley King, 3 James Yearley, 4 Rowland Morris, 5 Keith Horsnell, 6 Steve Grimshaw, 7 Mark Godfrey, 8 Derry Milling, 9 David Brick, 10 Craig Chamberlain.
Clubman 2T: 1 Richard Ely, 2 Peter Clarke, 3 Dennis Harrison, 4 Steve Holcombe, 5 Keith Jones, 6 Graham Lazzari, 7 Dan Lawry, 8 Peter Benton, 9 Liam Ward, 10 Michael Brooks.
Clubman 4T: 1 Rudy Austin, 2 Dave Grimshaw, 3 Tom Braddock, 4 Lee Hattersley, 5 Sean O'Neil, 6 James Harvey, 7 Chris Nunn, 8 Gary Simms, 9 Royce Machin, 10 Richard Cookland.
Over 40: 1 Richard Main, 2 Dave Salkeld, 3 Chris Roberts, 4 Mark Houson, 5 Adrian Bradley.
Sportsman: 1 Stan Watt, 2 Paul Moore, 3 Nik Rowbotham, 4 Liam Flynn, 5 Rob Lambert.
Novice: 1 Johnny Jones, 2 Colin Bott, 3 Gavin Faircloth, 4 Richard Bates, 5 Danny Morris.
Ladies: 1 Tamsin Jones, 2 Sophie Thomas, 3 Jane Daniels, 4 Kate Harrington, 5 Kate Lloyd.
Youth: 1 Marcus Alba, 2 Scott Clifford, 3 Liam Garbett, 4 Nathan Holtby, 5 William Hughes.
For full story, see T+MX NEWS, Friday, February 22, 2008