Simpson remains on top, despite a mixed day
By G2F on 23rd Mar 09
Shaun Simpson remains at the top of the general standings in the MX2 2009 Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship, despite not enjoying the best of days at the ultra fast Langrish circuit. The Red Bull KTM rider came into the second round of the series full of confidence following his recent run of wins, but was aware of the tough test that lay ahead of him today when his arch rival Stephen Sword snatched pole position during morning qualifying.
Not deterred by being second on to the gate, Simpson made a good start in the opening moto and after having been headed by Mattis Karro and Sword on the opening lap, the reigning MX2 British champion was soon back in front. From this point on the twenty one year old never looked back, with him and Sword pulling well clear of the field. However a crash on the last lap would hand his compatriot the win, whilst Shaun managed to pick himself up and finish second still nearly thirty seconds ahead of Karro in third spot.
Looking to make amends for his earlier mistake Simpson was in stunning form in the second race, and by lap five was already four seconds clear of the pack. With the victory looking almost certain, Shaun was about to taste his second bout of bad luck for the day when a derailed chain halted his progress. Never one to give up, Simpson carried out his own trackside repairs and restarted in eleventh position. Three furious laps later the KTM factory teamster was back up to sixth spot, before a coming together with Martin Barr once again pushed Shaun back down the order.
Simpson continued to battle right to the flag to come home in a points salvaging fourth place, which put him third overall after losing out on the tie break with Pascal Leuret, but still two points ahead of Sword in the title race.
Obviously frustrated Shaun explained. ”I am really annoyed with myself for making the mistake in the first race, especially so late on as there was no way I could recover the ground I lost.”
"I was making amends in the second moto and was holding a comfortable gap until the chain came off. It took nearly a minute to get it untangled and back on the rear sprocket. I pushed hard, but the crash with Barr put me on the deck again. After that it was a case of damage limitation, not ideal, but it could have been a lot worse. " Simpson ended.
Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship – Round 2 – Langrish
MX2 Moto One: 1: Sword 2: Simpson 3: Karro 4: Leuret 5: Bradshaw
MX2 Moto Two: 1: Sword 2: Leuret 3: Nicholls 4: Simpson 5: Bradshaw
MX2 Overall: 1: Sword 50 2: Leuret 40 3: Simpson 40
Championship to date: 1: Simpson 90 2: Sword 88 3: Bradshaw 72
Full details of Shaun's 2009 schedule and all the latest news about the KTM teamster can be found on his official website at www.shaunsimpsom.com