Sword extends Championship lead
By TMX Archives on 15th Jun 09
An under the weather Stephen Sword raced to third and first places yesterday during the two MX2 races at Hawkstone Park, the fourth round of the ACU Maxxis British Motocross Championship.
MX2 race one saw a change of order with Martin Barr picking up his first win of the season for his Relentless Suzuki team. He didn't have an easy race working his way by the hard riding Scott Elderfield on the PAR Homes Honda.
It was Mattis Karro on the MVR-D Suzuki who got the hole shot and lead for three laps until he crashed out of contention. This gave the lead to Elderfield but Barr stayed on his tail making a move on lap six which didn't stick.
Championship leader, Stephen Sword also got in on the action aboard his Red Bull KTM taking second from Barr, who left it late to push into the lead and came over the line clear of Elderfield and leaving Sword to settle for third.
The second race was eventful with Elderfield and Barr crashing out on the opening lap and having to race back through the field to pick up some valuable points. However, it was Jake Nicholls of the KTM team who held the early lead keeping a keen Sword at bay. He remained at the front until lap nine when machine failure put him out, handing the lead straight to Sword who romped away with the moto. Neville Bradshaw on the DB Racing Honda picked up second place while UTag Yamaha's Mel Pocock finished in third.
Sword said: "I've not felt good all week so to get the win overall is great. I've extended my lead which is what I wanted so it's all good.”
The fifth round of the ACU Maxxis MX2 Championship will take place at Lyng in Norfolk on the 12th July.
MX2 Race one result:
1 Martin Barr Relentless Suzuki 35:26.376
2 Scott Elderfield PAR Homes Honda 35:30.170
3 Stephen Sword Red Bull KTM UK 35:35.743
4 Jake Nicholls Team KTM UK 35:40.176
5 Neville Bradshaw D B Racing Honda 35:56.437
6 Mel Pocock UTAG Yamaha Dixon Racing 36:03.774
7 Shane Carless Motone KTM 36:05.192
8 Graeme Irwin KTM UK 36:44.868
9 Alan Keet Proseal KTM 36:57.574
10 Wayne Smith Samsung Yamaha 37:10.735
MX2 Race two result:
1 Stephen Sword Red Bull KTM UK 36:18.342
2 Neville Bradshaw D B Racing Honda 36:24.721
3 Mel Pocock UTAG Yamaha Dixon Racing 36:50.547
4 Wayne Smith Samsung Yamaha 36:55.456
5 Shane Carless Motone KTM 37:20.873
6 Scott Elderfield PAR Homes Honda 37:41.042
7 Graeme Irwin KTM UK 37:51.954
8 Martin Barr Relentless Suzuki 38:18.602
9 Alex Rockwell Road and Track MC's/Wulfsport Yamaha 38:28.315
10 Rickard Sandberg Twisted 7 Honda 38:31.304
MX2 Championship points:
1. Stephen Sword 175
2. Neville Bradshaw 138
3. Mattis Karro 123
4. Jake Nicholls 117
5. Scott Elderfield 110
6. Martin Barr 103
7. Graeme Irwin 102
8. Wayne Smith 97
9. Shaun Simpson 90
10. Shane Carless 83