Verde Shiloh KTM's Millward and McNicol shine at Culham MXGB season-opener
By Team TMX on 16th Mar 22
British Motocross Championship Culham Jake Millward Kyle McNicol
The Verde Shiloh KTM team enjoyed a fantastic start to their Revo ACU British Motocross Championship Fuelled by Gulf Race Fuels season at Culham with one MXGB podium and one near miss.
Jake Millward provided podium pie in the premier MX1 class as he pushed former Grand Prix racers to finish third in the overall classification. Kyle McNicol carried his excellent form from the final round last year into Culham, Just missing out on a first-ever MX2 podium by a solitary point.
Partnering McNicol was Bailey Johnston; making his MX2 debut, he ended his weekend with 25th overall a solid performance against a field of 38 riders.
Millward got a dream start in the opening race, holding fourth place with Dylan Walsh, Shaun Simpson and Tommy Searle ahead. Walsh and Simpson then made errors to allow Millward into second.
While Millward pushed and threatened Searle's lead, he couldn't quite make a pass stick and took second at the chequered flag.
Race two didn't play out as well for Millward. He bagged seventh out of the gate but could not move up the field. However, he remained consistent, and his seventh was enough to take an excellent third step of the podium.
Jake Millward: "Started the season on a high coming away with third overall. Some mega battles and good racing all weekend. Bring on round two!"
McNicol, who is in his sophomore year in the British series, started his first points-paying moto of the season in a strong position, but a spill dropped the 20-year-old back. It was a bit of a yo-yo race as mistakes impacted positions before McNicol flipped the bike and took a heavy fall. To his credit, he got back on and finished the race in a solid 10th place.
It wasn't a fantastic jump out the gate in race two for McNicol coming round in ninth spot. However, by lap two, he had reeled in a few places and continued to make progress. Indeed, by lap seven, he had made third-place his own. So while delighted to take third in race two for a deserving fourth overall, there was a slight disappointment to miss the podium by one point. Still, 10th and third was an excellent start to his 2022 MXGB campaign.
Kyle McNicol
Kyle McNicol: "Started the day on a high after finishing P2 in Qualification behind Conrad Mewse. Made a few mistakes in race one and finished P10. But race two was awesome pulled from ninth up to third place. Missed the podium by just one point."
Johnston had a terrible gate pick and didn't get a great start. He dropped the bike on the first lap, so sat way back in 36th. Undeterred, he fought hard and dug deep, pulling through the pack 15 places in the next two laps.
He was determined to get into a point-scoring position, and on the last lap, he passed two more and finished a fantastic 19th place in his first MX2 pro race.
Race two didn't go to plan for Johnston. A poor gate pick and start left him with much to do, which led to pushing hard and crashes Johnston would finish 28th for an overall 25th.
Moving into the pro class is a big move and takes a bit of getting used to; however, now the first meeting is over, Johnston can settle into his own pace and gain points and experience.
Bailey Johnston: "A good first round with lots of positives to take away it was my MX2 pro debut, and I was really happy to come away with some points. I struggled in the second race after coming off on more than one occasion. Lots to take away and learn from."
Team manager Adrian Kirk: "Strong start to the season by all three riders. Showed a lot of promise. Hardwork pays off."
Verde Shiloh KTM has laid down an early marker as they bid to be one of the leading teams in the 2022 MXGB series. Next, they head to FatCat in Doncaster for MX Nationals' first round this weekend.
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