Monster Energy Arenacross finale at Wembley
By Team TMX on 24th Feb 16
The Monster Energy Arenacross Tour is preparing to reach a crescendo as everyone involved from track builders through to the superstar performers and, of course, your fave off-road publications get ready for the last of what has been an electrifying 11-round series.
When the doors open at 6pm on February 27 at the SSE Arena, Wembley, the anticipation of the AX masses is set to be at an all-time high.
Fans of all ages will be ready to first enjoy the aesthetically-crafted visual impact of the arenacross stage and introduction ceremony. Then they can settle down to an evening of no-holds-barred cheering, hollering, and good old high-octane entertainment with the odd Mexican wave and commentator-frenzy thrown in for good measure.
The TMX and DBR team have been with the tour from day one, following every twist and turn of the unpredictable series.
We've witnessed the highs and lows. Matt Bayliss blitzing the opposition and endearing himself to the New Year crowd at the unscripted Manchester opener, then the sad Daniel McCoy incident at Glasgow.
Testament to the generosity and compassion of the off-road fraternity is the fact that, within days, more than £20,000 had been raised to get Dan back to a specialist unit in Sydney and that the fund is still growing.
Good work by all concerned.
Back to the upcoming weekend, and the mathematics confirm that a Frenchman will win the esteemed Pro class trophy but the scene is set for something of a grudge match. Taking recent encounters into consideration, it is a fair assumption that there'll be handlebar and elbow-clashing a-plenty at Wembley. It really is an open book as to who will survive the arenacross racing carnage. So who do you fancy for the win?
In his first-ever AX tour, Geartec Yamaha's Monster Energy rider Cedric Soubeyras has at times been the subject of controversy but his racing talent is undeniable.
With a tally of 189 points he is just three ahead of uber-smooth and super-quick reigning arenacross Pro champ Thomas Ramette who, in turn, has a 29-point advantage over his SR75 Molson Racing Suzuki team-mate and whoops specialist Cyrille Coulon.
With the final being a Pro double-pointer a potential 48 points are up for grabs which rules out Brits Adam Chatfield (Buildbase Honda) on 135 points and Londoner Jack Brunell (SJR Kawasaki) with 127 points from taking the title but both are more than capable of scooping the class win on the night.
In doing so they could well lay claim to third overall in the championship and the hearts of, what is anticipated to be, a full-volume partisan crowd.
Away from the hardcore racing, the roar of the gathered spectators is expected to reach something of a crescendo when the highly-charged and energetic freestyle motocross athletes hit the ramps.
Edgar ‘Godfather' Torronteras, Jamie ‘Squibby' Squib, Dan ‘Muscles' Whitby, Samson ‘Joker' Eaton and Arran ‘Babyface' Powley are tour regulars and have yet to disappoint AX audiences with their wild tricks, massive whips and roller-coaster back flips.
Their motorcycle aerobatics often appear to be something of a riotous assembly which further underlines their skill as, when they are in a train and just milliseconds apart, absolutely nothing can be left to chance.
Powley pulled an astonishing Cliffhanger-to-No-Hander-Lander out of the bag at Sheffield to the amazement of the audience.
There is little doubt that these boys are show-boaters and they are set to throw caution to the wind at Wembley – literally anything could happen.
At the other end of the engine capacity scale the youngest competitors of the tour – namely the Youth 65cc group – is preparing for a battle royale as just one point separates the leading two KTM pilots.
The determined little guys are not prepared to give up anytime soon and both nine-year-olds – Kiean Boughen from Lancashire and Ollie Colmer from Tyne and Wear – are as equally determined as their professional counterparts to claim the 2016 arenacross crown.
These mini racing warriors will give it their all and we fear there'll be tears before bedtime. You just really need to be there to cheer them on as these are your stars of the future.
The final leg of the 2016 Monster Energy Arenacross Tour gets under way when doors open at 6pm on Saturday February 27 at the SSE Arena, Wembley.
Tickets can be bought by calling the box office on 0844-815-0815 or via the ‘Buy Tickets' link at www.arenacrossuk.com
