Crendon FASTRACK Honda Rider Tommy Searle Extends British MX Championship Lead

Crendon Fastrack Honda’s Tommy Searle extended his lead in the ACU British championship with a gritty ride to second overall at the historic Foxhill track on Saturday.

With heavy rain the day before the event turning the valley circuit into a tricky track to ride, Searle used his experience to master the conditions for a calculated performance, where many of his rivals hit trouble.

In the opening moto, Searle quickly put his Crendon Fastrack Honda CRF450R into third place and set a comfortable pace chasing down title rivals Harri Kullas and Dylan Walsh. When Walsh crashed out, Searle inherited second place but with the demanding circuit causing him some arm pump issues he couldn’t put up a fight for the win.

As the circuit had become even more rutted for the second race, Searle was quickly in contention after overtaking former champ Evgeny Bobryshev, and tried to attack the leading duo. He came within three seconds of the winner, bringing the Honda home in third place for second overall. But he extended his series lead to ten points.

He said: “I had a second and a third for second overall, and I pulled out a few more points in the lead of the championship, so I am quite happy with that. In the first race the track was rutty and grippy in some places, but in parts was like ice where the chalk came through. I struggled with the track in the opening race and had some arm pump so second was a good finish.

“In the second race I passed Bobryshev and tried to attack, but I lost my rhythm and let the leaders get away. I regrouped and came back withing three seconds of the win. I just waited too late. But I’ll come out swinging for round five.”

Jay Hague battled illness to take some valuable championship points

It was a disappointing day for the team’s rookie MX2 rider Jay Hague who tried his best to race despite feeling ill and totally drained of energy. He bravely rode in the opening moto and despite a poor start and feeling sapped of energy, fought to 15th place. But a decision was taken to withdraw him from the event to let him make a full recovery.

The team’s other MX1 rider, Jake Nicholls, is now back on a bike after his recent broken shoulder blade and plans to be back in action at the next round of the series, Blaxhall on August 8.