Verde Racing News | 05/09/2016
Qualifying:
There had
been plenty of rain on the track throughout Saturday but after a bit of grading
on the Sunday morning, the track dried out nicely and was spot on for a day of
Pro racing.
MX2 – Jake had a mega ride in
qualification. He relaxed and loved
riding the track. His speed was right up
there and he got a 2nd MX2 and was 4th fastest out of
this mixed class.
MX1 – Brad rode cautions, a
bit unsure of how his shoulder would react when he landed off jumps. He was fine, still fast and finished 6th
MX1 with a 9th gate pick.
Race 1:
MX 2 – Disaster struck on the
start gate and Jake couldn’t get his bike to start. A good 20 seconds went by and all the riders
had left the start straight by the time Jake got it going. Jake was wound up but it put the fire in his
belly and he pushed hard and picked his way through the pack of MX1 and MX2
riders one by one. By the end of the 2nd
lap he was into 13th place and 8th MX2. It was a long race on a tough track but he
soon picked off Hague, Davidson, Tombs, Kellett, Husbands and then Knight and
moved into 2nd place MX2 with just Martin Barr in front. His lap times were fast and consistent but
Liam Knight wasn’t going to give up and let Jake get away. Jake was tired now. He had used so much energy chasing from the
back, passing both MX1 and MX2 riders.
With just one lap to go, Liam started to battle with Jake. It was neck and neck and great racing to
watch. But Jake was spent and eventually
he let Liam past which gave Jake 3rd place in the MX2 class in Moto
1 and 5th out of the mixed class of riders. A fantastic ride for Millward with an
excellent result.
MX 1 – Brad got a mega start
and came out of the first bend in 2nd behind Ashley Wilde. It was close and Brad soon passed Ashely to
take the lead. He was out up front and
looking good but his shoulder wouldn’t let him hold tight. He was tense, it was rough and he was
struggling to hold on and lift the bike.
He held on for the first half of the race and then retired after 8 laps
and came home a respectful 7th place MX1.
Race 2:
MX 2 – Jake got boxed in on the start so wasn’t in the front running in lap one. He started to pull through very quickly and by the close of the first lap he was already into 5th place MX2. Then on the last uphill bend before you head down to towards the pits, the bike stopped dead and spat him over the bars. The bike ceased so suddenly on a blind bend, that the rider behind ran clean over Jakes back, followed by at least 3 others. Jake managed to get himself and the bike up but the bike wouldn’t move. It had to be carried off the track. It was such a shame. Jake was on form today and had the aggression and fight in him that complemented his smooth, effortlesspoints riding style. So Moto 2 was a mechanical DNF.
MX1 – After a lot of debate
Brad decided to go out in Moto 2 as he still had a chance of getting 3rd
overall in the Championship. He is a
true professional and definitely not a quitter.
So he put the pain behind him and gave it his all. He got another excellent start and was out
front with the Wild Card rider Kevin Woulds.
After a couple of laps Brad let Kevin get away. He knew it wouldn’t make a difference to his
championship position. So he spend the
rest of the race ensuring no other MX1 rider got past him. He rode hard, put the pain to the back of his
mind and overcame the cautiousness he had shown in the first Moto. Brad got a clean 2nd in MX2 with
Josh Spinks finishing 3rd behind.
Overall:
MX 2 – With the bike going
bang in Moto 2, Jake’s points were hit badly.
So despite 20 points in Moto 1, he ended up 10th overall MX2
for the day and missed out on 3rd overall in the Championship by 19
points, finishing 4th overall behind Liam Knight. All he had to have done was finish 2nd
in this last Moto of the series to secure his 3rd place. He was more than capable of doing this today
but luck just wasn’t on his side. So
Jake finished 10th overall for the day and 4th in the
Championship.
MX1 – Brad achieved what he
had gone out to do in the last Moto and secured 3rd overall in the Championship
despite only competing in 4 out of 6 meetings (8 out of 12 races). He finished 4th overall for the
day with only 4 points off the podium. A
further 2 points would have also pushed him up to 2nd place in the
Championship.
Quote from Jake Millward:
Gutted that the bike went in Moto 2. I really thought I was gonna have nailed it
at Hawkstone today.
Quote from Brad Anderson:
Finished 3rd overall in the Championship on the
Verde KTM after only riding in 8 out of 12 Motos. Not too bad with being injured today and
all. Glad I rode today. It has helped me put the pain out of my mind,
stop being cautious and prepare for the last round of the Maxxis, which is at
Foxhills in 2 week’s time.
Quote from Team Manager Adrian
Kirk:
Totally pleased with both riders today. Jake rode by far the best he has done all
year. It is so disappointing that he had
to go out with a mechanical that neither rider nor mechanic could have
prevented! It cost him his 3rd
place in the Championship.
Brad gave it his all as usual and rode through pain in order
to achieve his 3rd place in the Championship. He is a true professional who always gives
100%. His level of commitment goes much
further than anyone would expect. More
riders should aspire to be like him.
Verde Racing News | 05/09/2016
Ready to start
your Verde Project?
Shop Sports SurfacesShop Home and LeisureShop CricketShop Special OffersShop 2024 Landscape Range
£
R7. British Championships - Monster Mountain - 10th September 2023
R5. MX Nationals - Hawkstone Park - 3rd September 2023
R4. MX Nationals - Cusses Gorse - 6th August 2023