MX Nationals - Round 1 - Preston Docks 2017

Twenty Three 250CC riders out to compete for the days gate position.  Jake got a good 2^nd lap in before riders started to fall and block the track, as did Brad Todd and Mel Pocock. Micky Eccles and Lewis Tombs tried hard to get a good time in laps 4 and 5 but neither came close. Jake set the second fastest lap time in MX2, so got 4^th overall gate pick for the day.

MX1

Brad also got a good fast time in his 2^nd lap but unfortunately didn’t hold his spot. In lap 4 Elliot Banks-Brown matched his time and then in later laps Martin Barr, Graeme Irwin and Kristian Whatley managed to improve upon them all.

Brad just couldn’t get a clear run. Each time he got going he came across yellow flags and riders on the floor, so he settled for 5^th fastest MX1 rider.

Race 1

The tractor went out prior to the first pro race and levelled out some of the roughest areas. The sun was still out and the track was drying out nicely.

MX2

Jake got a pretty good jump amongst the MX2 riders and was soon in 3^rd place. After a few laps Mel Pocock took the lead and Mickey Eccles came from the back through to 2nd. This pushed Jake back to 4^th. He was stuck behind Brad Todd on a narrow track and just couldn’t get past.  Then with just a few laps to go, Jake found a way through and was away chasing down Mickey Eccles. He soon got passed and was closing on Pocock but there just wasn’t enough time. Jake finished 2^nd in race 1. An excellent start to the series.

MX1

Brad didn’t get as a good a start against the stacked pack of MX1 riders. However, he was soon sat in 4^th place behind Martin Barr, Steven Lenoir and Elliot Banks Brown. Brad sat in 4^th for a good few laps then arm pump got the better of him.  Irwin moved on in, battled and made a pass.  As Irwin got away Whatley started to gain and soon found a way through too. Brad just couldn’t shake off the arm pump on this now rough track and finished a comfortable 6^th in Race 1.

Race 2

The sun was still out, the track was dry but very rough and cross rutted.

MX2

Another relatively good start but being mixed up amongst the pack of MX1 riders made it very difficult for Jake make any kind of ground. He may have been 4^th MX2 but he was still in the middle of the whole pack, with plenty of MX1 riders blocking the path.

The track was rough and difficult to pass. Then Mickey Eccles, who was up front, made a mistake and Jake moved into 3^rd. Gilbert had a clear run out front and Jake tried to chase Pocock down. It was a tough, rough, rutted race and Jake couldn’t quite close the gap on Mel to move into 2^nd. Jake finished 3^rd MX2 in Race 2.

MX1

Brad didn’t get a fabulous start but managed to pull through to 4^th place in the first lap. He started to close the gap on Whatley but Krestinov was giving him a challenge and about halfway through the race, it all changed. Lenoir’s bike went and he had to pull out of the race (from his previous pole position.) Krestinov made a move and passed both Brad and Whatley, moving into 2^nd behind Irwin. Brad was struggling to find good lines and close as he might on Whatley he just couldn’t find a way through, Brad ended race 2 in 4^th place.

Overall

Overall it was a tough day for Ando but success shone on Jake.

MX2

Jake finished the first round of the MX Nationals with a 2-3 giving him 2^nd overall and a pro podium.  Not a bad start to the series.

MX1

Brad didn’t have such a good day. He claimed a 6-4 giving him 5^th overall, just 3 points behind 3^rd place position!

Quote from Jake Millward:

Was a good weekend for me at the 1^st round of the MX Nationals,  having a 2nd in moto 1 and a 3rd in moto 2, to give me second overall and yet another pro podium. Massive thanks to the whole Verde team who work their butts off every week getting the bikes looking and performing amazing and everyone else who supports me and the team.

Quote from Brad Anderson:

Tough day at the docks 1st round of the MX nationals qualifying 5^th. First race not the best of starts. Came through in the first lap to 4th then the dreaded arm pump kicked in and lost two places for 6^th. Race two feeling loads better about 10th of the start and worked my way up to 4th on a tough track. Ended 5th overall which I am not happy about but at least I am healthy ready for Lyng next weekend - thanks to all my team Verde sports ktm.

Quote from A. Kirk: