UK Arenacross: Glasgow delivers thrills and spills for round two
By Team TMX on 10th Jan 16
The second round of the 2016 Monster Energy Arenacross Tour powered by Ford Ranger delivered on its promise of fast-action and top entertainment last night. A nail-biting set of Pro and youth races, coupled with spine-tingling displays of incredible Freestyle motocross, were just as impressive as the grand SSE Hydro arena itself.
Round two went to the talented French trio of Fabien Izoird, Cedric Soubeyras and Florent Richier but with round three a matter of hours away, the rest of the Pro class line up will be out to snatch back some valuable championship points.
The opening ceremony set the scene for the evening. Moody lighting, harmonised with a poignant soudtrack, nurtured audience expectation as the massively enthusiastic Scottish settled in for a few hours of no-holds-barred Arenacross fun and games. From the second the AX team started firing a succession of goodies into the stands, the crowd were hooked.
The Freestyle stars were as popular as ever and the Glasgow fans were highly vocal in their support for the airborne athletes, with Spanish godfather of FMX Edgar Toronterras, top Brit Jamie Squibb and new recruit Nez Parker ultimately emerging as clear faves.
On the racing front, the mighty mini racers stormed the Glasgow arena with the Supermini 85s out first, followed by the 65s and then the Pro Lites. Harry Kimber, Ben Burridge and Lewis Hall formed the Supermini podium; Ollie Colmer, Jak Taylor and Tye Jones the 65s and Joe Clayton, Jordan Moxey and Edward Briscoe topped off the Pro Lites.
The Bayliss brothers - Matt and Chris - proudly flew the British flag high in the Pro class heats, which were dominated by the rapid French. Star of the Manchester Arenacross, and swiftly becoming the people's champ, Matt won heat three by milliseconds as he and Cyrille Coulon raced over the finish line literally side-by-side. Chris too proved to be on form on the Glaswegian soil as he finished third in the second heat behind Izoird, and newly-drafted American Collin Jurin.
Stateside supercross hotshot Josh Hansen had an unsettled day, uncharacteristically failing to star in the heats, yet convincingly winning the Last Chance Qualifier which successfully seeded him through to the Main Event.
After the short burst set of head-to-heads, which again saw the French riders shining, it was on to the Main Event. In an Arenacross masterclass, LPE Kawasaki Fabien Iziord grabbed the holeshot and, whilst chased down by Richier and Soubeyras, was never bettered. Bayliss showed sparks of form but a quarter-race-distance clash with Hansen saw him relegated to last place. Soubeyras got the better of fellow countryman Richier on lap nine and the leading trio rode a fast and tight highly-charged Arenacross race all the way to the chequered flag. Coulon, Chatfield and Brunell rounded out the top six.
In his post-race summary, LPE and SJR Kawasaki team boss Steve James said: "It's been an up and down sort of day. In the third heat Jack Brunell (SJR) was running in the top three and then a clash with Matt Bayliss left him with a suspected broken foot. He showed true grit though and got back on his bike and wend out to race in the Main Event, thanks to being the promoter's choice, and secured a few valuable championship points. His team-mate Josh Hansen was fast but didn't have the best of luck. He made it into the final through the last chance qualifier, only to then crash with another rider. He did finish though and took away some solid series points.
"Our LPE French pairing were virtually faultless. A win and a third are results that speak for themselves but, with a long championship ahead anything can happen - we're aiming for consistency.
"We're all looking forward to the third round later today. More of same from Fabien and Flo would be great and a new day, new start for Josh. Jack is showing that he is a force to be reckoned with and has said that he will be on the start line no matter what – broken ankle and all. He said it's nothing a few painkillers won't cure ...”
Championship positions 65cc
1. Ollie Colmer, 76
2. Kiean Boughen, 70
3. Jak Taylor, 61
Supermini 85s
1. Harry Kimber, 78
2. Ben Burridge, 67
3. Leiws Hall, 63
Pro Lites
1. Joe Clayton, 80
2. Jordan Moxey, 66
3. George Clarke, 61
Pro Class Main Event
1. Fabien Izoird LPE Kawasaki
2. Cedric Soubeyras Geartec Yamaha
3. Florent Richier LPE Kawasaki Kawasaki
4. Cyrille Coulon SR75 Molson Racing Suzuki
5. Adam Chatfield Buildbase Honda
6. Jack Brunell SJR Kawasaki
7. Collin Jurin Xbladez Husqvarna
8. Angelo Pellegrini Buildbase Honda
9. Thomas Ramette SR75 Molson Racing Suzuki
10. Josh Hansen SJR Kawasaki
Pro Class Championship Positions
1. Cedric Soubeyras #120, 44 points
2. Fabien Izoird #871, 37
3. Thomas Ramette #1, 32
4. Florent Richier #2, 31
5. Cyrille Coulon #5, 30
6. Jack Brunell #155, 29
7. Adam Chatfield #407, 27
8. Josh Hansen #100, 23
9. Angelo Pellegrini, #941, 20
10. Matt Bayliss #4, 19
