MCF News: Three cheers

The event was part of a Euro Sand Cup which will also include some MCF sanctioned events in the UK; more details of which will be released shortly.  

Tony Nash of the QRA  was on hand, as was the MCF, to assist the riders with technical control and registration. 

Matthew Moffat was the sole UK solo rider competing in the MX1 class on the 450 Husqvarna, teaming up with Belgian Yentel Martens. Moffat put in some good laps in qualifying taking ninth, just one place behind Martens with Adrien Vanbeveren topping the times. 

Moto one didn't go to plan however and despite moving towards the front and running in twelfth, the rear wheel bearings broke up leaving Matt stranded on the far end of the circuit. Having retrieved the bike a new rear end and a rebuilt clutch, he saw a very solid ninth place finish in the second moto, meaning he qualified for the A Final later in the day.

After gating ninth in the Final a mistake on lap two saw Matt drop down the order but another great ride saw him pull through to take tenth place at the flag.

The Quad class saw the UK represented by newly formed SJS Services BRP Imports team mates Sheldon Seal and Bailey Edwards, with Seal out on the Yamaha for the first time. It didn't take him long to get to grips with the machine though and he posted the seventh fastest qualifying time in a class topped by Jeremy Warnia.  Edwards was struggling with bike setup and couldn't lift himself above 28th place. 

Seal got out of the gate in seventh in Moto one with Edwards completing lap one in 23rd.

Seal was showing some good pace and picking off competitors lap by lap and getting through to fourth with three laps remaining, unfortunately the top three had pulled a gap and seal finished fourth. 

Edwards had got the Yamaha sorted and was through to fifteenth when the engine let go on the final lap leaving him with a DNF. With the spare engine away being rebuilt it was a quick trip to Dragon to pick up a new one on Saturday evening and the Team worked late in to the night to get the bike ready for Sunday.

Following a first lap pile up come Sunday morning, both Seal and Edwards found themselves outside of the top twenty and with it all to do. By lap three Edwards was running one place ahead of Seal in 14th and the pair were using each other to push forward with Seal eventually taking seventh and Edwards ninth. 

With Jeremy Warnia, winner of the opening two motos missing from the grid in the third moto, all eyes were on the first corner. 

When the sand settled Seal was in seventh with Edwards just outside the top ten. 

By the end of the first four minute lap Seal was up to fourth place and Edwards heading towards the top ten. Seal was soon through to third and was rapidly closing the gap on the leaders, whilst Edwards was also making forward progress. A stall late on stopped Seal progress on the leaders but a comfortable third place not only secured a cheque for €100 but third place overall. Edwards finally came home in eighth but the DNF in Moto one affected his overall position.

All three riders will be back in sand action at the upcoming BXUK final rounds of the British Beachcross Championship at Margate on October 24/ 25.