It's French perfection

The Frenchman has won all five rounds so far and has an unassailable lead with one round to go at Canada Heights next month.

"It's really good to be champion,” said Lenoir. "The bike has been mega all year without any problems and I have been consistent, winning every round so far. 

"I have felt good today as the track was sandy but slippery too but I just kept it smooth and found some good lines and my pace was quick enough to run up the front with the bigger MX1 bikes. "So it's definitely been a good time for me.”

Graeme Irwin (Heads and All Threads Suzuki) dominated the Pro MX1 class with two straight wins over Kristian Whatley (Buildbase Honda) and Brad Anderson (MBO Power ASA Yamaha).

But it was Henry Williams (Feehily KTM) who became the first rider this year to clinch a national title when he won the MXY2 class a handful of races before Lenoir won his Pro MX2 crown.

At the start of the first combined pro MX1 and MX2 race Whatley led into the first turn but by the end of the lap a flying Irwin had passed him as the pair were followed over the line with Elliott Banks-Browne (Geartec Suzuki), Anderson and Martin Barr (BRT KTM) in tow.

Lenoir was the first MX2 rider in sixth with Adam Sterry (Wilvo Forkrent KTM) in his wheel tracks and Liam Knight (Dyer & Butler KTM) third. As Irwin began to pull out a lead Whatley and Banks-Browne swapped places a couple of times until Banks-Browne began to suffer from arm pump and dropped back into the clutches or Lenoir and Barr.

With three laps to go an on-form Lenoir passed Whatley and crossed the finish line just over seven seconds behind Irwin. Whatley was third with Banks-Browne passing Sterry on the last lap for fourth.

The second race was all about Irwin as he led from the drop of the gate to the chequered flag. 

An injured Whatley gated second and closed the gap on the leader mid-race only to have Irwin up his pace and take the win by almost four seconds.

Anderson and Banks-Browne renewed the battle for third but were both passed on lap four by Lenoir on his way to third in the race and first MX2 rider.

Sterry started the race with Lenoir and spent the first two or three laps chasing him until Lenoir managed to find a way past Anderson. Sterry struggled to pass Ando and had to settle for fifth in the race and second in MX2.

The best ride of the afternoon came from Barr who, after hitting neutral in turn two, came round to complete his opening lap in 23rd. On a roughening track he managed to cross the finish line in sixth place and fourth MX1 rider for fourth overall.

Overall it was Irwin from Whatley, Anderson and Banks-Browne in MX1 with Lenoir beating Sterry and Knight in MX2 with Lewis Trickett (MBO Power ASA Yamaha) fourth.

 

FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE TMX AUGUST 13