Hol for Leather
By TMX Archives on 30th Jul 14
Ensuring the Enduro21.com ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship, powered by Husqvarna Motorcycles remains anything but predictable KTMs Steve Holcombe fought his way to a debut victory at round ten of the series.
Edging out championship leader and round nine winner Danny McCanney (Beta), Holcombe captured his first race win in what is his rookie season in the Elite class.
Marking a new venue for the BSEC, the penultimate rounds of the series took place at Black Dog Woods and entering the event as the championship leader, Beta's Danny McCanney delivered the goods at round nine.
Getting to grips with the course he blasted to a commanding victory. However, with Holcombe on top form at round 10 he was denied a double win and instead was forced to settle for the runner-up result.
"It was great to win on Saturday,” said McCanney.
"I found a fast pace from the word go and just kept putting solid laps together.
"It felt good to get a win in the bag. I don't really feel like I did anything different on Sunday – Steve just rode great. Fair play to him, he really pushed hard. When I upped my pace, he responded and upped his.
" It would have been nice to get the double but it didn't happen.”
As the standout performer of the weekend, Holcombe truly had a race to remember.
Attacking hard on Saturday, the KTM rider picked up the final special test win of the day to place third overall behind both Danny and Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna).
Knowing he had the speed to challenge for the top spot on Sunday, Holcombe did exactly that.
Winning six of the day's nine special tests, the youngster secured his debut Elite class win.
"I'm completely made up with this result and how I rode all weekend,” said a delighted Holcombe.
"I feel like this is something that's been building for a while so it's fantastic to finally put all the pieces of the puzzle together and win.
"Beating a rider like Danny McCanney is no mean feat – he's one of the best in the world. He was pushing hard but I managed to keep with him and then up my pace when he upped his. It's been a great result – one to remember for sure.”
For Tom Sagar it was a weekend of two halves.
At round nine, Sagar opted to try a KTM 300 EXC and struggling to find his true form on the two-stroke he placed a lowly fifth.
Reverting back to his trusty KTM 450 EXC four-stroke, Sagar was back to his best for round ten finishing close behind Holcombe and Danny McCanney in third.
"It's been a mixed weekend at best,” explained Sagar.
"I wanted to try out the KTM 300 EXC in race conditions with a view to racing it in 2015. It was great to try something new but in hindsight I probably needed more time to adapt.
Reverting back to the 450 for Sunday did the trick and I was back in contention. The times were close all day so I'm pleased to come away with third.”
Powering his way to a confident runner-up result on Saturday, Jamie McCanney saw his day end badly on the final special test on Sunday when he crashed and dropped back to sixth.
Enjoying a strong ride throughout the weekend, Holcombe's team-mate Daryl Bolter placed a competitive seventh at round nine before improving three positions to finish fourth at round 10.
In the Under 23 class, TM's Josh Gotts celebrated his 21st birthday in style by taking a debut win at round nine.
With Gotts heading the class, Rob Johnson (Husqvarna) and Fraser Flockart (KTM) battled hard for the runner-up berth.
Holding off his rival by just two seconds, Johnson got the nod for second.
Hampered by a couple of crashes throughout the day James Dent (KTM) was unable to close in on the leaders and placed fourth from Fraser Norrie (KTM).
At round ten the battle for the win became a three-horse race between Johnson, Flockart and Gotts.
This time around it was Johnson who claimed the top spot, while Flockart held off Gotts by two seconds to finish as runner-up.
Resuming their battle at the head of the Under 19 category Joe Wootton (Husqvarna) and Brad Freeman (KTM) traded wins in Black Dog Woods.
On Saturday it was Wootton who came through to win.
Despite Freeman holding an early advantage, Wootton bagged the second outright time on the penultimate test to move in front and take the win from Freeman.
Behind the top two Charlie Frost (KTM) edged out Lee Sealey (Husqvarna) to record his first top-three result of the series.
At round ten Freeman got the better of Wootton to win by four seconds.
Only separated by one point in the championship – in favour of Wootton – it's all to play for at the final round in Ingoldmells.
Fairing better on Sunday, Sealey moved up to third from Hunt, with Jake Morgan (KTM) fifth.
In the Youth class it was a double win for KTM-mounted Jack Staines.
Alex Walton chased Staines home for the runner-up result both days, while at round nine Ben Churchill (KTM) picked up third with Robbie Wallace (Yamaha) fourth.
Continuing their fight for championship honours in the Expert class, Charlie Evans (KTM) and Carl Brogden (TM) led the field home.
On Saturday Evans held off his TM rival by five seconds to win, as Brad King (Kawasaki) finished third.
At round ten Brogden turned the tables on Evans to snatch the race win.
In the Expert Vet class Beta's Andrew Reeves wrapped up the championship with a double win.
At round nine Geoff Walker (Husqvarna) held off Paul Sagar (KTM) by two seconds to secure the runner-up result, while at round ten it was Mark Denslow (KTM) who chased Reeves home, with Sagar again third.
In the Clubman Vets Peter King (KTM) and Simon Ellway (KTM) traded wins.
On Saturday King led Ellway home while on Sunday Ellway got the better of his rival.
Keith Jones (KTM) finished third both days.
Claiming a double win, Tom Ellwood was the rider to beat in the Clubman category.
Winning on Saturday, he comfortable placed clear of Greg Hurley (Yamaha) and Jack Penhaligon (Husaberg).
Facing a tougher challenge on Sunday, Ellwood narrowly beat Ross Bainbridge (KTM) by four seconds to claim the win, while Josh Marshall (KTM) took third pushing Penhaligon back to fourth.
Clinching the TCX Women's championship, Jane Daniels won both days in Black Dog Woods from Katie Walker (KTM).
