Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship 2007
By G2F on 9th Apr 07
Disaster for De Dycker, as Anderson and Swanepoel take top honours. Review Rnd 3 Lyng Sunday 8th April
Although a record crowd turned out for the third round of the championship held at Lyng, Sunday 8th April did not prove to be a happy Easter for reigning British MX1 champion Ken De Dycker - CAS Honda. De Dycker slipped to a distant third in the series standings, despite having arrived in Norfolk carrying the red plate that denotes the current championship leader. A crash early in the first moto did not prevent the Belgian rider fighting his way back to take the race win. However a damaged rear silencer as a result of the incident saw him demoted to sixth, after his bike failed a post race noise test, and he received a minute time penalty.
De Dyckers's hurt proved to be Brad Anderson's – Pioneer Yamaha glory, as he recorded his maiden victory in the MX1 class. Anderson fought hard for his win, by first overhauling initial race leader Billy Mackenzie – De Groot Kawasaki and then fending off a late challenge from James Noble – Multitek Honda, who came home ahead of a tiring Mackenzie and Gordon Crockard – PAR Honda.
Another poor start in the second MX1 moto left De Dycker with work to do, especially as Mackenzie had opened up a three second lead by the end of the opening lap. Following the heartbreak of the first race, Ken looked like he was going to make immediate amends as he cut through the pack and had Billy within his reach at the fifteen minute mark. However it was a case of double disaster as the Honda rider suffered rear brake problems and pulled out of the race at the critical moment. This gave Mackenzie his first win since moving up from MX2. The new championship leader was followed over the line by the hard charging trio of Anderson, who would take the overall win, Crockard, who holds second in the overall standings and Noble, who moves up to fifth in the series.
In the MX2 class the day belonged to Molson Kawasaki teamster Gareth Swanepoel, with the likeable South African taking both race wins, and in doing so moved up to second in the championship. Swanepoel's double victory was by no means easy, as he twice came from behind to close down series leader Tommy Searle – KTM UK. Gareth reinforced the extent of his sheer speed on the day by taking the second chequered flag by a clear eight seconds.
Whilst Searle had no real answer to the leading Kawasaki runner, the KTM rookie maintains his advantage at the top of the championship table after recording two mature runners up positions. Tom Church – Molson Kawasaki, Mike Brown – CAS Honda and Martin Barr – Bike It Yamaha completed the top five in the first moto. Whilst Carl Nunn made a welcome return to the action with a solid fourth place in race two, after the 2006 MX2 British champion had to sit out the second round of the series due to a back injury sustained earlier in the season.
The next round of the series takes place at Langrish, Hampshire on Sunday 3rd June 2007, please visit the official championship website - www.mxgb.co.uk - for further details.
MX1 Moto One: 1: Anderson 2: Noble 3: Mackenzie 4: Crockard 5: Rose
MX1 Moto Two: 1: Mackenzie 2: Anderson 3: Crockard 4: Noble 5: Rose
MX1 Overall: 1: Anderson 57 2: Mackenzie 55 3: Noble 50
Championship to date: 1: Mackenzie 159 2: Crockard 153 3: De Dycker 134
MX2 Moto One: 1: Swanepoel 2: Searle 3: Church 4: Brown 5: Barr
MX2 Moto Two: 1: Swanepoel 2: Searle 3: Brown 4: Nunn 5: Church
MX2 Overall: 1: Swanepoel 60 2: Seale 54 3: Brown 48
Championship to date: 1: Searle 148 2: Swanepoel 139 3: Brown 136