MX Nationals - Round 3 - Duns - 2016

MICHELIN MX NATIONALS – ROUND 3 - DUNS

This weekend saw the team travel to Scotland, to a new venue on the calendar, Duns, the track run by Pro MX2 rider, Bryan McKenzie. It was round 3 of the Michelin MX Nationals and we headed there with just one rider, Jake Millward.  Brad Anderson unfortunately had to sit this round out and was unable to contend his winning position, due to his commitments to his 2 stroke contract to race in the EMX300 in Spain, where may I hasten to add, he got top spot on the podium.

It was a long drive to Duns for everyone but well worth the journey.  The track was bob on, hard and fast with a tricky whoop section and some big jumps.

Qualifying:

Well Jake is never too hot at qualifying and as usual he struggled to put in a good full lap. He just didn't seem to get a clear run at the right time.  Qualifying 11th MX2 and 18th out of the fastest 40, didn't give him a very good gate pick. 

Race 1:

Jake got an horrendous Jump out the gate and went up the start straight in dead last! But he soon made up time and before the first lap was finished he had moved up in to 12th place overall and 5th MX2.  He was behind Carlton Husbands and Lewis Tombs and it took him a good few laps to find a good line to make his pass on these two MX2 riders.  Once through he charged ahead with just Bryan McKenzie and Martin Barr out front.  Then Bryan got a puncture and retired from the race putting Jake into a comfortable 2nd place MX2. Jake had started to really enjoy the ride and he made it look easy.  Unfortunately there was too large a gap for him to make any gain on the new leader, Martin Barr, so Jake came home in race 1 in an excellent 2nd place MX2.

Race 2:

Jake got a much better start in race 2. He got a pretty good jump and came round the first bend in 8th place, but 3rd MX2.  Once again there was just Bryan McKenzie and Martin Barr in front.  Bryan had a mega lead overall in the fastest 40 but in lap 6 he got a puncture once again and it was game over for Bryan. Jake stayed strong, now in second place MX2 and was determined to close the gap a little on the now new leader, Martin Barr. MX1 rider Alex Snow, was in front if Jake and kept blocking his path so Jake played the sensible card and sat tight and finished an excellent 2nd place MX2 in moto 2 and eighth place in the fastest 40.

Overall:

Two second place finishes secured him a comfortable 2nd MX2 overall at Duns and a place on the podium.  This excellent finish moved Jake up from 7th place in the championship to 3rd place MX2. With 3 rounds to go, there are still 24 points between Jake and 2nd place but if he continues to ride the way he has done this past few weeks then this certainly isn't I obtainable.

So Jake now sits 3rd place in the Michelin UK MX Nationals and 4th place in the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship.  Not a bad start to the season I would say!

Quote from Jake Millward:

Or8 Dat. Decent. Over the moon and more!

Quote from Team Manager, Adrian Kirk:

Excellent days racing from Jake today. It once again shows what he is capable of.  He is starting to believe in his capability and hence the results are starting to show. A solid days racing with excellent results.

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