MX DIARY: Whatley’s Preston plus
By Sean Lawless on 9th Sep 15
Former champ Kristian Whatley overcame a slow start to the day at Preston Docks on Sunday to get on the second step of the MX1 podium behind Shaun Simpson.
Struggling to fifth in the opener after suffering with arm-pump, the Buildbase Honda rider regrouped and ran 4-3 in the remaining two races to match his best result in the Maxxis this season.
"In the morning I was suffering with loads of arm-pump and it was the same in the first race,” he said, "but I managed to salvage a fifth place but I was unhappy with my riding.
"I wasn't flowing but things got better and I found in the last race, when the track was rougher, that I was riding better. The thing that saved me today were my starts as I was in the top two in the first two races and got the holeshot in the last.”
Kristian was the only Buildbase Honda rider in action after team-mate Gert Krestinov broke his collarbone during the week.
"It wasn't the best of starts for Kristian today both in qualifying or in the first race,” added team boss Dave Thorpe, "but the pleasing thing was that he improved as the meeting went on. Hopefully both him and Gert can end the championship well next month and we can at least have them in the top five after what has been a season of injuries for us.”
