British beef at home
By Infront Moto Racing on 16th Jun 16
A long list of British riders will arrive at the Matterley Basin circuit this weekend hoping for major success and big points. Led by GP regulars Shaun Simpson, Tommy Searle, Jake Nicholls, Max Anstie, Adam Sterry and Conrad Mewse, the British brigade will be strengthened with another dozen or so locals trying their hand at the GP.
The British GP has always been a happy hunting ground for home riders, and one of those victories came in 2012 when Tommy Searle proved too strong for Jeffrey Herlings. The victory by Searle brought the massive crowd alive. Searle has a total of 14 GP victories and his first came also on home soil in 2007, at the Donnington circuit.
While Searle is the last British rider to have success at the home GP, it might be Shaun Simpson who has the best chance of success. Simpson who missed the last Grand Prix in France due to injury, rode last weekend at the British championship round and seemingly will head to Matterley with a clean bill of health.
While Searle is the last rider to win a GP at home, Simpson is the last British rider to win a GP period. Simpson has three GP victories to his name, the first in Lierop in 2013, the second in Lommel, and the last in Assen in Holland last year. Of course all three were sand tracks, but he isn't just a sand track rider, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if he left the British GP on Sunday with a win.
Husqvarna rider Max Anstie who also has a GP win to his name might have a tougher time than Searle or Simpson to battle for a victory, although he has shown on occasions this year that he has the speed to be close to MX2 king Jeffrey Herlings, and a slip up by the Dutchman could see Anstie take a surprise victory.
Others who might show some speed next weekend at Adam Sterry, who also won the MX2 class in his national series last weekend, or maybe Conrad Mewse, or Jake Nicholls.
Sterry has always enjoyed his home GP.
"Matterley and the British GP is my favorite race of the year,” Sterry said. "I always seem to do well there and with a little more confidence from winning this weekend, and some good starts hopefully I can get inside the top group there.”
Whether it be Searle, Simpson, Anstie, or one of the other British riders we know one thing for sure. The huge spectator turn-out we always see at Matterley Basin will be making sure the home riders get more than a little support.
