Belfast Round Four - 2016 Monster Energy Arenacross report

By Andrew Hill on 16th Jan 16

Arenacross Tour

The 2016 Monster Energy Arenacross Tour, powered by Ford Ranger, proved to be something of a belter when it visited Belfast for the fourth leg of the 2016 series.

Reigning AX Pro champ SR75 Molson Racing Suzuki's Thomas Ramette convincingly won both his heats and the Main Event, whilst Geartec Yamaha's Cedric Soubeyras retained the championship lead.

Youth and Pro Lites

Local lad Charley Irwin took a well-deserved fourth in a 65cc race that saw championship leader Ollie Colmer put in an outstanding performance.

He recovered from a start-line crash to pick his way through the field to finish second behind winner Kiean Boughen, and ahead of third-placed Jake Cappa.

In the Supermini group, a jubilant Ben Burridge rode hard and punched the air as he took the chequered flag in first in front of Preston Williams who launched past Kacey Hird right on the finish line.

In the Pro Lites class it was Joe Clayton again who cleaned up with George Clarke and Jordan Moxey in second, third; a result replicated in the championship itself.

Pro Head-to-Head

The Head-to-Head saw Ramette, Soubeyras, Josh Hansen and Adam Chatfield make up the top four. Chatfield's run with Soubeyras was tension fuelled when Soubeyras t-boned the British rider, damaging both bikes in the process.

The move was deemed dangerous and the Frenchman was disqualified, paving the way for Chatfield to go through to the final against Hansen. Hansen emerged the victor, but Chatfield had won the hearts of the crowd and a valuable three additional championship points.

Main Event

By the time the Main Event got underway, the enthusiastic AX fans were revved and ready for a racing battle to the wire.

While American ace Hansen grabbed the holeshot, Ramette was in superb form behind him and just didn't let him out of his sight.

Hansen's charge was brought to a stop at the half race-distance when a rogue track marker halted his progress. He went from first to ninth in a matter of seconds and could do nothing but watch the AX champ fly past with Fabien Izoird and Soubeyras keeping him company.

Ramette was relatively safe out front, but Soubeyras piled the pressure on Izoird and made his move in the final laps to relegate the Kawasaki rider to third. Chatfield finished fourth, with team-mate Pellegrini fifth.

With luck deserting Hanny once more he was only able to finish the Main in sixth. There's nothing wrong with his raw speed - he had the fastest lap of the race - he just needs lady luck to smile on him a little more often.

Soubeyras retains the red plate and leads the championship by just four points over Izoird. Ramette is close behind and just eight points separates the top three.

On his win Ramette said; "That was my best race ever in Arenacross. I won both heats which meant I had the pick of the gate and I felt really confident and strong.

"I was second behind Josh [Hansen] and was really pushing and working hard to catch him. I couldn't believe it when he crashed, but I was in the right place to take it.

"Then Fabien [Izoird] was behind me and it was very close and I could see Cedric [Soubeyras] coming back too, it was tight all way to the end. The track was hard and rutting in places and so it was easy to make mistakes but I stayed steady and out of trouble.

"I didn't have such a great time last weekend and so this win tonight means a lot to me."

Belfast isn't done with Monster Energy Arenacross just yet as the series returns this evening for Round Five. Racing starts at 7.00pm and there's a small number of tickets available that can be bought on the gate. If you're in Belfast don't miss it.

2016 Monster Energy Arenacross Belfast Round Four Results

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