Jake Nicholls back on top of the podium - Eastern Centre Championship, Blaxhall
By Team TMX on 13th Jul 21
Motocross Blaxhall Jake Nicholls
Crendon Fastrack Honda's Jake Nicholls returned to the top of the podium at the Blaxhall circuit for round four of the Instanda / Stebbings Eastern Centre Championship.
Woodbridge MCC had the stunning Blaxhall circuit in prime condition for the 15 races, and the action lived up to the quality of the track as riders enjoyed fine and dry conditions.
Nicholls's victory was by no means easy the 31-year-old is still short of full fitness after suffering a shoulder injury and has still not been able to join his team at national championships.
Despite the appearance of several national grade riders competing as they sought valuable track time in readiness for the British championship meeting at Blaxhall, the first race victory in the premier class went to Eastern series leader Lewis Tombs (Banks Honda).
Lewis Tombs
Tombs led the 20-minute-long race wire-to-wire, with Gabriel KTM's Liam Knight and Cabscreens Yamaha's Dan Thornhill battling for second-place honours. Local ace Nicholls joined them, and the crowd absorbed themselves in a great four-way scrap at the front of the pack.
Nicholls fought through to second place, but Tombs was riding brilliantly, and wouldn't be denied the win. Thornhill was able to get the better of Knight to claim third place, with Nicholls's young teammate, Jay Hague, taking fifth place, who was chased home by Chambers Husqvarna's Tom Grimshaw.
Liam Knight
Nicholls stormed to the front in race two, with Knight and Thornhill once again disputing second place. Positions remained the same throughout the race, although Hague had another excellent moto to finish in fourth place. Norfolk's Luke Parker (Matt Pope Kawasaki) held fifth place for the first four laps, but young Suffolk ace Sam Nunn (RHR Yamaha) and Tombs eventually passed.
Tom Grimshaw
After crashing on the first corner, Grimshaw found himself down in 36th place, but a searingly fast pace cut him through the field to an impressive 10th at the chequers.
Dan Thornhill
It was Thornhill's turn for victory in the third race. Grabbing the lead at the start, he was chased hard by Nicholls. With a lap left, the Honda pilot closed the gap dramatically to within a bikes length as they crossed the finish line.
Knight rode well in a lonely third place, with Grimshawe getting the better of Tombs for fourth. Luke Benstead (GH Husqvarna) had bike problems in the first two races but had better luck in race three, finishing in sixth place after a high-speed battle with Sam Nunn.
The 14 junior grade riders, who had qualified to race the premier class, certainly did not disgrace themselves, and there were some good battles further down the pack in each race.
Callum Murfitt
Callum Murfitt topped the overall premier class juniors, with Liam Bennett having three good rides for second. Murfitt's primary opponent, Ryan Gardiner, was third overall, with Tommy Clark just ahead of Joseph Leeks, Connor Bunkle and Archie Fisher.
Lewis O'Sullivan dominated the Group A Support races easily winning all three motos. Local rider, Ben Alexander, was second in race one after a good battle with Jack Youngs and Ollie Brader.
Lewis O'Sullivan
With O'Sullivan in a commanding lead again in race two, Sam Arbon led the rest home in second place. Connor Baldry fought through to third and was chased home by Arnis Paberzs. O'Sullivan romped home for a third win, leaving Baldry to claim second place in race three after a spirited battle with Brader, Alexander and Paberzs.
There were three different winners in the B support races; Zac Roberts won the first leg after passing early race leader Lee Kirkpatrick. Veteran Paul Hubbard took his Herts MX Honda to victory in race two. And Alex Truslow won race three with Roberts in second place, which was enough for the overall win.
Coming back from retirement, Vince Snell won all three legs in the C support group, with the consistent Alfie Self in second place in each race. Overall victory in the D group went to Shaun Tacey; however, youngster Henry Cox had agonisingly lousy luck. After winning the first two races, he suffered technical problems when leading the third leg, which forced him to exit the race early.
Round five of the Eastern Championships will be held on August 1 at Lyng, hosted by the Norwich Vikings club.
Words: Charlie Ralph; Editing: Andrew Hill
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