BSEC title race hots up as series heads to Manor Farm, Northants
This weekend sees the UK’s top enduro racers compete in the penultimate event of the 2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship as series organisers GMC Events team up with Enduroland for a not to be missed event at the exciting Manor Farm venue, Northants.
With the Manor Farm venue proving popular with competitors in all classes during 2011 the BSEC series will once again make use of the fantastic terrain on offer, mixing a plentiful supply of grass tracks with natural woodland and numerous man-made obstacles. Despite the recent heavy rain, a track inspection earlier this week has revealed that aside from one or two wet areas the majority of the track is in prime condition having not been used in over five months. After his double victory at Saints Well, Mid Wales, TM’s Jordan Rose (picture above) enters rounds seven and eight as the Elite class leader. Fresh from his outstanding performances at the recent Spanish and Portuguese rounds of the Enduro World Championship, Jordan will be hoping his newfound speed will carry him to further BSEC success this weekend.
Steve Holcombe
“I’m really excited about heading to Enduroland,” commented Rose. “Starting the event as the championship leader adds a little extra expectation to perform but I’m hopeful that my recent good results in the EWC will help me to deliver another strong performance.” However, with many riders also keen to steal a win in the BSEC Elite championship, Rose will face stiff opposition at Adstone. Of those eager to secure victory are the KTM duo of Tom Church and Daryl Bolter. Both riders have now reached peak form as the championship passes the halfway point and at round five and six both pilled the pressure on Rose. This weekend they too will be focused on reaching the top step of the podium. Add into the mix the consistent performances of Husqvarna’s Jamie Lewis, along with Husaberg’s Si Wakely, Mark Roberts (Kawasaki) and KTM’s Lee Edmondson and the battle for Elite honours will undoubtedly be as fierce as ever.
Jamie Lewis
In the Under 23 class the fight for victory between Gas Gas’ Danny McCanney, KTM’s Jonny Walker and Husaberg’s Alex Rockwell is sure to rage on this weekend. With three race wins to date it’s McCanney that currently leads the way. Placing first and second in Saints Well, the Manxman has since racked up more podium success in the EWC and currently lies third overall in the Enduro Junior World Championship. With momentum on his side, he’ll be hoping for a winning result. Sitting just 11 points behind McCanney in second position is KTM’s Jonny Walker. After a commanding double win at rounds three and four, the young Cumbrian was distinctively off his game last time out. Using this weekend’s event as preparation for his assault on this year’s Erzberg Rodeo, Walker will be determined to put a dent in McCanney’s championship lead. Tasting victory at round six of the series in Saints Wells, Rockwell is a rider that also enters Adstone following time spent on the EWC tour. Fourth in the Enduro Junior class at the recent Spanish GP, the Manxman has the ability to turn rounds seven and eight of the series into a winning ride. Knocking on the door of a top result is Husqvarna’s Jack Rowland, Lewis Belfield (KTM) and Jordan Scott (KTM). Hard charging Steve Holcombe is on the verge of being crowned the first champion of the 2012 BSEC season. Clocking up a maximum six wins from six starts in the Under 19 class, Holcombe will be focused on ending his weekend as the new Under 19 champion. Behind Holcombe, Kawasaki’s Joe Wootton, James Dent (KTM), Joe Jones (KTM), Robert Johnson (Husqvarna) and Aaron Smith (Husaberg) are all focused on reaching the podium.
Danny McCanney
In the 125 Youth Cup the race for victory heats up between Lee Sealey (KTM), Brad Freeman (KTM) and TM’s Josh Gotts. With Sealey holding a slender two-point lead in the championship over Freeman, and with Gotts just six points further back, the penultimate stop of the BSEC series will be a crucial one for all involved. It’s Tyson Maytom-Jones (Husaberg) that currently heads the way in the Expert class. Picking up a win at round five in Saints Well, the Husaberg rider holds a four-point advantage over KTM’s Richard Ely. However, with KTM’s Oliver Hart just three points behind Ely in third, and beginning to find his form in the series, it’s still all to play for in the Expert class. Another rider that remains undefeated in 2012 is Jane Daniels (KTM), who may also be crowned champion at Adstone. Securing maximum points so far in the championship, Daniels is looking to become the first ever Women’s champion of the BSEC. Adding further spice to the class will be the battle between Rhian George (KTM), Katie Walker (KTM) and Fionn Griffiths (KTM). In the Clubman class, TM’s Gethin Francombe is currently on a roll. With three wins from the last three races, he’ll be hoping for his win streak to continue in Adstone. However, Richard Topping (Honda), Jamie Jenkins (KTM) and Ian Smart (KTM) will be keen to capitalise on any mistakes he makes this weekend. (source: BSEC)