2020 AX Round 2 Belfast Report: SR75 HRS Suzuki back to winning ways
By Team TMX on 19th Jan 20
Arenacross Tour Charles Lefrancois
The racing was world class with SR75 HRS Suzuki rider Charles Lefrancois winning the Pro 450 and the SuperFinal Main Event.
Special guests five-time World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea and Northern Irish Motocross legend Gordon Crockard stunned Belfasts SSE Arena as they formed part of the spectacular opening show.
I just cant help but get such a buzz from being inside the Arena with a packed home crowd, explained Rea shortly after riding his title-winning Kawasaki Superbike down the start straight and into the centre of the track.
The crowd reached fever pitch as Crockard also rode around the track on his 2001 CAS Honda the exact same bike he won the first-ever indoor race staged at Belfasts now famous Arena back in November 2001.
As racing took off, Wooldridge Honda rider Julien Lebeau who lead out the gate with an impressive performance in the Pro Lites Main Event, but eventual winner was Germanys Brian Hsu who took first place in both Main Events starting his Arenacross debut in style. Former 2019 Pro Champion Cedric Soubeyras was third.
The Pro 450 Main Event Two was dominated by SR75 rider Charles Lefrancois who led the entire race with an elated Jack Brunell in second.
(ASA United Husqvarna) and Shocktech Kawasaki rider and 2014 AX Champion Fabien Izoird in third. The full line-up featured an All Irish battle between Fonacab Honda rider Graeme Irwin and Etec Apico CCM Racings Stuart Edmonds.
Dont Miss: AX Belfast Results 2020
Youth racing saw a shakeup from Round One with Fro Systems rider Carl Osterman winning the Rookie Cup fending off pressure from Ben Beanz Clayton. Ballyclare rider Charley Irwin and 2019 Supermini Champ Raife Broadly battled to the end taking a win each with Belfasts Matthew Beattie in third.
The home crowd cheered Charley to a race two win in the packed-out evening performance. Drew Stock did the double, winning both races and leads the 65cc Youth Cup Championship.
Dublin rider Jordan Kinsella captured the crowds hearts proving nothing is impossible. The Etec Apico CCM Racing rider went from a fan in the seats to a rider on the start gate in just a year. His can-do attitude and love for racing is an inspiring story! The All Ireland Cup trophy was back in the hands of Belfast rider James Mackrel with Dylan Stynes and Jay McCrum in second and third.
The MCFederation Head-to-Heads were electric with Offset CBD rider Ashley Greedy once again securing his place on the SuperFinal start line.
There was a Barr vs Irwin affair as the two Northern Irish riders battled the one and a half lap race with BRT KTM Rider Martin Barr triumphant.
The well-deserved SuperFinal crown went to Charles Lefrancois (SR75 Suzuki) who held a strong lead against new boy Brian Hsu. ASA United Husqvarna rider Jack Brunell raced consistently with frequent battles with team-mate Soubeyras who went down with only a few laps to go.
To finish the night it was Geoff Walkers SR75 Suzuki team that took Belfast Round 2 Team Championship.
The Arenacross Tour now heads to Resorts World Arena Birmingham on January 31 and February 1 for rounds three and four of the 2020 Arenacross Tour.
More like this…
SR75 HRS Suzuki victorious at Belfast Arenacross
The Arenacross Tour began with a bang for SR75 HRS Suzuki in Belfast with the first two rounds back to back against the strongest ever line-up of Pro riders the series has ever seen in its eight-year history.
2020 AX Round 1 Report: Brian Hsu wins in Belfast
The 2020 Arenacross Tour opened its doors to a packed crowd at The SSE Arena, Belfast. All previous Arenacross Champions were lined up on the start line but it was AX rookie Brian HSU (Fro Systems) who took the SuperFinal Main Event win.
Belfast set to kick-off 2020 Arenacross Tour
The UK’s maddest, baddest race series kicks off on Friday night when Belfast’s SSE Arena plays host to the opening round of the 2020 Arenacross Tour.