The British GP Matterley Basin 2018

A sweltering hot weekend put everyone in a good mood, the track was awesome as usual and Team Verde got a prime position in the GP paddock, directly opposite Factory Red Bull KTM.

EMX300 Timed Practice:

It was an early start for Brad on the Saturday morning with the free/timed practice out at 8.15am.  The track was slightly damp, from watering, to start with but soon dried up to provide a fast and challenging circuit.  Brad put in a fast time in his first lap, putting him 3rd fastest. Then in lap 3 he caught and twisted his knee, heard a crunch, so pulled in, thinking that it was game over and he wouldn't be able to race. He sat the rest of the practice out but he remained the third fastest rider in qualification.

EMX250 Timed Qualification:

There were, as usual, two groups of EMX250 riders, all fast and all hungry to qualify.  Todd was in Group 1 so was out on the track not long after Ando. There were 27 riders in group 1, 10 of which were fellow Brits. Todd got his best time in lap 4, which moved him into 12th position, but as the session progressed other riders put in some good times and moved Todd down to 15th.  15 riders automatically qualified from each group without having to go into the LCQ, so Todd was through to the main event.

EMX300 Race 1:

Brad got his knee strapped up and decided to give it a try racing. He was in agony and each time he landed off a jump the pain was immense. But he had got a good jump out the gate and was in 2nd. Before long Brad moved into the lead and then the adrenalin kicked in. With the help of a supporting home crowd Brad went on to win moto 1.

EMX250 Race:

Todd didn't get too good a start in race 1 and he was back in around 20th. He managed to find a rhythm, passed a few and soon moved up to 15th place.  He held on to this place until the d, finishing 15th in moto 1.  This was a personal best for Todd in this year’s EMX250 so it was an excellent finish for day 1 of the weekend.

EMX300 Race 2:

With Brad winning the first race, it was a no brainier to go out in race 2, pain or no pain. He had by now move into the championship lead with 17 points clear.  Brad didn't get as good a start in race 2, coming round the first corner in 6th.  It took a couple of laps to settle but then the crowd got behind him and Brad picked off the rides with relative ease.  He moved up to second but was left to battle out the last couple of laps with Kovar.  Brad wasn't going to give in and so he finished moto 2 with an excellent 2nd place win.

EMX250 Race 2:

Once again Todd didn't get too good a jump out the gate, this time he was back in 22nd place. He battle to hold this position and by lap 3 had moved back to 23rd place. He was soon hopeful of getting some points but luck didn't go his way.  In lap 4 he pulled over with fear of a mechanical DNF, so finished moto 2 down in 38th place.

OVERALL EMX300:

Brad went 1-2 for 1st overall. So it was not only the top step of the podium at his home GP but he took the Red Plate back taking the championship lead by a clear 26 points. Despite the pain it was a proud day for the tough British Bulldog.

OVERALL EMX250:

Todd went 15-38 for 17th overall and move up into 35th in the championship. Not ideally where he wanted to be but 6 more points are important as he move towards round 6 in France next week.

QUOTE BY BRAD ANDERSON:

What a weekend at the British GP.  Twisted my knee in timed qualification and didn't think I would be able to race, never mind go out and win back the Red Plate and take the top step of the podium at my home GP. The fans cheered me on and my adrenalin kicked in and as I took the lead In Race 1, I was so pumped.  In race 2 I got a bad start so I just out my head down and charged with the fans behind me.

QUOTE BY TODD KELLETT:

Qualify 15th and went straight through to the races which was a good feeling in front of my home crowd. I managed to finish 15th in race 1 and scored some points but unfortunately I wasn't so lucky in moto 2. I got a bad start and was struggling. To get up into in the top 20 for points but was still hopeful when in lap 4 I had a mechanical and had to retire from the race.  Not the way I really wanted the weekend to finish but 7 points are 6 points.