Bridgestone British Masters Round Two Race Report
By Team TMX on 22nd May 24
For round two of this year’s Bridgestone British Masters of Motocross, the teams travelled north to the Schoolhouse track near Consett in County Durham. Josh Spinks, in one of his rare race appearances, won both Expert Open races in a dominant style to take the overall event win.
With a massive amount of hard work, the track crew provided the almost 300 riders with a fast, jumpy, technical track to enjoy. In the heat and sunny conditions of Saturday, dust became a bit of a problem, but the overcast weather of Sunday ensured that the track remained in prime condition.
Local rider Carlton Husband (Phoenix Even Strokes Kawasaki) looked to be on form and set the fastest Expert Open qualifying time by over half a second from Dan Thornhill (Chambers Husqvarna) and Husband's teammate Charlie Cole, with Spinks way down in seventh. But come the races, it was a different story.
While Husband led the pack into the first turn, he drifted wide, and Spinks slipped up the inside and into the lead, a lead that was never really challenged.
Thornhill, Cole and Henry Williams (FUS Marsh MX Honda) followed Spinks around the opening superfast lap with Husband, showing a new racing aggression did all he could in fifth place.
The top two riders stayed in the same order, with the gap between them fluctuating between one and three seconds. Husband, after passing Williams on the first lap, caught and passed Cole for third at the halfway point. But this Husband charge would come to nothing, as a lap later, he was out with a blown engine, and with that, all hope of a round win was gone.
Charlie Putnam (SC Sporthomes Husqvarna) wasn’t having the best of times either. He went down in turn one after tagging another rider, which snapped off his engine starter button, giving him a DNF.
The biggest mover in the race was Ross Rutherford (Husqvarna), who started the race in eighth and passed. Patrick Jackson (APJ Yamaha) and Travis Steels (GASGAS) on the opening lap and Williams on lap four. Took full advantage of Husband’s problems to finish the race in fourth place.
James Dodd (FUS Marsh MX Honda) led the pack around the track at the start of the second expert open race, followed by Spinks and Josh Greedy, Steels, Williams and Rutherford, with Thornhill and Cole in seventh and eighth places.
But as Spinks took over the lead on lap two, Greedy crashed down to eighth place and slipped all the way back to tenth before the end of the race.
Thornhill was on a charge as he passed Dodd for second place on lap three as Cole, the first rider on an MX2 machine, followed Dodd for five laps before snatching third place from him.
As for Husband? He had a strange race. He missed the start completely and rounded the first turn almost last. By the end of the lap, he was in seventh place, only to crash down to twelfth a lap later. But from then on, he looked like he was on rails as he powered his way up the pack to slide past Cole, with three laps to go and finish third, behind Spinks and Thornhill.
Overall, Spinks from Thornhill won, Cole was third, and Rutherford missed out on the podium by three points.
“I have enjoyed myself today”, said a happy Spinks. “I am just so busy nowadays with the coaching side of the sport, I only get to ride once a week and I am happy about that. I pick and choose events I want to ride in. Colin (Hambridge) and his team always put on a good show, and it’s an amazing track, so I came here. To get the one-one was awesome.”
Thornhill said from the second-place podium, “Each week, we are getting a bit better. Two second places today which could have been better. Qualifying was good, as I was only point six off the pole. My riding and speed are both good, but there are still a couple of areas I have to work on and stop making simple mistakes. But we are coming to the mid part of the season, and I have to keep the ball rolling for the rest of the year.”
Cole battled all day pitching his smaller MX2 machine against the bigger 450 MX1 bikes and said after racing was over for the day, “I had a good start in the first race and just went with Spinks and Thornhill. I am happy to have made the effort to come up here to Schoolhouse as it will stand me in good stead for the British next weekend. And, it is always nice to come away with a good result.”
The 125cc two-strokes provided some of the closest and most entertaining racing of the weekend. After their four races, the top three were separated by just four points.
With two race wins, a second and a fourth place, Damen Strydom (FUS Marsh Geartec Honda) was the overall winner from race four winner Charlie Richmond (JP KTM). The ever-improving wildcard rider, Ryan Waggott (KTM) won race three on his way to third overall.
Wildcard rider Bailey Johnston (Husqvarna), didn’t have his weekend of racing start too well, as he was involved in a crash at the start of his first of four Amateur MX1 races and came around in last place. But he charged his way through the pack to end the nine-lap race in a well-earnt fifth place. He then went on to win all of his other races for the overall win. Ben Knight (Yamaha), who didn’t finish out of the top three, was second overall, with Josh Greedy (Moto33 Yamaha) third.
Raife Broadley (Fantic) was unbeaten in the Amateur MX2 class for the overall win. With a couple of second places and two third places, Syd Putnam (SC Sporthomes Husqvarna) was second but on the same points as wildcard rider Aaron Ongley (Kawasaki).
Bradley Johnstone (KTM) had three convincing wins in the Clubman class but a battle early on in race three with Colin McLuckie (Honda) which ended up with them both being passed by James Collings (DIFTS Media Yamaha) on his way to third overall, saw him finish in third. But that was enough for the overall first place. Scott Bates (IDS Kawasaki), who won race three, was second.
Wildcard rider Reece Jones (K-Tech Aristo KTM) won all four of the very competitive MXY2 races with Harrison Greenough (KTM), who didn’t finish out of the three all weekend second and with Beau Brown (Boandock Racing KTM) third.
Only four points separated the top two riders in the Big-Wheel 85s. With three race wins and a second place, Alfie Geddes-Green (GASGAS) won the overall, with race two winner wildcard rider Finley Pickering (KTM) second. Joel Winstanley-Dawson (KTM) did not get a look in but still finished a creditable third overall.
A crash at the start of his second race spoilt Arthur Moore’s (RMJ SJP Moto KTM) perfect weekend. It was a turn-two incident that put Moore on the ground and at the back of the 40-rider field. But he scythed his way through that pack to end the seven-lap racing in third. He won all the rest of his races for the overall win. Nixon Coppins (Yamaha), who didn’t finish out of the top three all weekend, was second overall, with race two winner Marley Marczak (JMR Foundation KTM) third.
Cohen Jagielski (KTM) dominated the Junior 65s with four race wins from four starts. But only three points separated the next pair as Elliott Shawyer (Airport Autos KTM) was second from Roan Watson (MX Goat GASGAS).
Results Bridgestone British Masters Round Two
Expert open
1 Josh Spinks (KTM) 45 + 45 = 90
2 Dan Thornhill (Chambers Husqvarna) 43 + 43 = 86
3 Charlie Cole (Phoenix Even Strokes Kawasaki) 41 + 39 = 80
4 Ross Rutherford (Husqvarna) 39 + 32 = 72
5 Travis Steels (GASGAS) 35 + 34 = 69
6 Henry Williams (FUS Marsh MX Honda) 37 + 32 = 69
7 James Dodd (FUS Marsh MX Honda) 30 + 37 = 67
8 Aaron Patstone (Shaw, Brenron KTM) 33 + 30 = 63
9 Patrick Jackson (APJ Commercials, Yamaha) 32 + 29 = 61
10 Carlton Husband (Phoenix Even Strokes Kawasaki) 0 + 35 = 35
125cc
1 Damen Strydom (FUS Marsh Geartec Honda) 45 + 45 = 39 + 43 = 172
2 Charlie Richmond (JP KTM) 39 + 43 + 43 + 45 = 170
3 Ryan Waggott (KTM) 43 + 39 + 45 + 41 = 168
4 Matt Bayliss (S Briggs GASGAS) 41 + 41 + 30 + 39 = 151
5 Will Haddock (MJW K-Tech KTM) 37 + 35 + 41 + 34 = 147
6 Daniel Brough (rutzz.co.uk Yamaha) 34 + 32 + 35 + 35 = 136
7 Chester Hyde (Matt Pope GASGAS) 33 + 37 + 32 + 33 = 135
8 Yarin Evans (SRH KTM) 26 + 33 + 33 + 31 = 123
9 Troy Willerton (TM UK TM) 31 + 21 + 37 + 23 = 112
10 Samuel Jackson (APJ Commercials GASGAS) 32 + 34 + 29 + 17 = 112
Amateur MX1
1 Bailey Johnston (Husqvarna) 37 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 172
2 Ben Knight (Yamaha) 43 + 41 + 43 + 43 = 170
3 Josh Greedy (Moto33 Yamaha) 41 + 39 + 39 + 37 = 156
4 Seth Manners (Chambers GASGAS) 45 + 33 + 34 + 41 = 153
5 Bradley Wheeler (MX Vice, Even Strokes Yamaha) 33 + 43 + 35 + 39 = 150
6 Daniel Maule (Hatchet MX Yamaha) 39 + 32 + 37 + 35 = 143
7 Johnjoe Wright (Kawasaki) 35 + 35 + 41 + 30 = 141
8 Ed Briscoe (Husqvarna) 34 + 37 + 33 + 33 = 137
9 Jamie Fort (Honda) 29 + 34 + 31 + 34 = 128
10 Simon Booth (Acerbis KTM) 30 + 31 + 32 + 32 = 125
Amateur MX2
1 Raife Broadley (Fantic) 45 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 180
2 Syd Putnam (SC Sporthomes Husqvarna) 41 + 43 + 43 + 41 = 168
3 Aaron Ongley (Kawasaki) 43 + 41 + 39 + 43 = 166
4 Jonathan Rodenick-Evans (Concept CCF Yamaha) 22 + 39 + 41 + 37 = 139
5 Kayde Rayns (Yamaha) 35 + 35 + 35 + 34 = 139
6 David Plank (KTM) 39 + 37 + 30 + 31 = 139
7 Josh Bassett (KTM) 31 + 33 + 37 + 35 = 136
8 Mitch Armour (Call-Mac Scaffolding Husqvarna) 37 + 30 + 34 + 33 = 134
9 Leon Ongley (Fantic) 32 + 32 + 31 + 29 = 124
10 Josh Buchanan (KTM) 30 + 34 + 29 + 27 = 120
Clubman
1 Bradley Johnstone (KTM) 45 + 45 + 41 + 45 = 176
2 Scott Bates (IDS Kawasaki) 43 + 43 + 45 + 43 = 174
3 Jamie Collins (DIFTS Media Yamaha) 33 + 39 + 43 + 39 = 154
4 Dan Chapman (Honda) 34 + 41 + 35 + 33 = 143
5 Colin McLuckie (Honda) 39 + 27 + 37 + 34 = 137
6 Kane Fisher (Yamaha) 24 + 34 + 39 + 37 = 134
7 Jack Loveridge (KTM) 30 + 35 + 33 + 35 = 133
8 Lee Clarkson (KTM) 41 + 14 + 31 + 41 = 127
9 Joe Sargent (Husqvarna) 28 + 31 + 29 + 31 = 119
10 Michael Graham (KTM) 37 + 24 + 26 + 30 = 117
MXY2
1 Reece Jones (Husqvarna) 45 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 180
2 Harrison Greenough (KTM) 43 + 43 + 41 + 43 = 170
3 Beau Brown (Boandock Racing KTM) 41 + 41 + 34 + 41 = 157
4 Max Corke (KTM) 39 + 39 + 37 + 37 = 152
5 Hayden Moody (Yamaha) 37 + 35 + 43 + 27 = 142
6 Austin Beasty (O’Neal KTM) 33 + 25 + 39 + 39 = 136
7 Shane Jones (Apex Motopark GASGAS) 31 + 30 + 32 + 35 = 128
8 Rhys Whyment (KTM) 30 + 37 + 26 + 34 = 127
9 Jack Wilson (Lyme Design GASGAS) 35 + 33 + 25 + 28 = 121
10 George Corke (Yamaha) 34 + 26 + 33 + 25 = 118
Big-Wheel 85s
1 Alfie Geddes-Green (GASGAS) 45 + 43 + 45 + 45 = 178
2 Finley Pickering (KTM) 43 + 45 + 43 + 43 = 174
3 Joel Winstanley Dawson () 41 + 41 + 35 + 39 = 156
4 Zane Stephens (GASGAS) 33 + 35 + 41 + 37 = 146
5 Olly Waters (MGMX KTM) 35 + 31 + 37 + 41 = 144
6 Kameron Greenhalgh (Husqvarna) 39 + 39 + 32 + 33 = 143
7 Andrew Piggford (JTL KTM) 31 + 34 + 30 + 35 = 130
8 Jenson Severn (GASGAS) 37 + 33 + 28 + 29 = 127
9 Harvey Collins (KTM) 27 + 28 + 39 + 31 = 125
10 Jack Leese (GASGAS) 29 + 30 + 31 + 34 = 124
Small-Wheel 85s
1 Arthur Moore (RMJ SJP KTM) 45 + 41 + 45 + 45 = 176
2 Nixon Coppins (Yamaha) 43 + 43 + 43 + 41 = 170
3 Harley Marczak (JMR KTM) 39 + 45 + 41 + 43 = 168
4 Alfie Lawie (Husqvarna) 37 + 34 + 35 + 34 = 140
5 Harry Hall (Hewiton Plant KTM) 33 + 30 + 37 + 39 = 139
6 Keedan Williamson (MX Goat Husqvarna) 35 + 32 + 34 + 35 = 136
7 Jamie Thorpe (JR Brickwork KTM) 34 + 33 + 32 + 31 = 130
8 Ethan Gawley (KTM) 24 + 35 + 27 + 32 = 118
9 Leo Wilson (Lyme Design GASGAS) 0 + 39 + 39 + 37 = 115
10 William Macaulay (AQ Husqvarna) 32 + 25 + 33 + 22 = 112
Junior 65
1 Cohen Jagielski (KTM) 45 + 45 + 45 + 45 = 180
2 Elliott Shawyer (Airport Autos KTM) 39 + 43 + 41 + 41 = 164
3 Roan Watson (MX Goat GASGAS) 43 + 32 + 43 + 43 = 161
4 Alfie Cotter (JC Autos KTM) 30 + 39 + 37 + 39 = 145
5 Forrest Roberts (MX Goat KTM) 35 + 37 + 39 + 34 = 145
6 Sydney Williams (MGMX KTM) 33 + 29 + 35 + 35 = 132
7 Francis Nellist (Lincoin Precision Eng. KTM) 31 + 31 + 32 + 29 = 123
8 Charley Wilcock (NORA KTM) 41 + 41 + 0 + 37 = 119
9 Riley Rogers (Tile Farm GASGAS) 37 + 19 + 33 + 30 = 119
10 Tommy Gaddes (GASGAS) 32 + 23 + 29 + 33 = 117
