Crowning glory
By TMX Archives on 23rd Aug 13
With one round still remaining, Kristian Whatley (Pro MX1) and Bradley Wheeler (Pirelli MX2) can already start celebrating their 2013 motocross titles, after the latest AMCA Wulfsport British Masters action held at Brookthorpe
Also just about home and dry is Amateur MX2 series leader Adam Wells, after his closest rival Zac Stealey suffered a suspected broken elbow in moto three.
Other riders starring in this frantic, penultimate event of the Masters season were Bryan MacKenzie, Paul Neale and Joe Jeffries, who all rode with style to bag maximum points scores on their way to overall victory.
This was the first-ever Masters visit to the hillside circuit and the general consensus was positive as the riders served-up great entertainment, with numerous close finishes and an abundance of spectacular action.
The crowd were thrilled by the high-flying antics of the Battery Energy Pro class, with the immaculate Kristian Whatley storming to yet another brace of moto wins.
When the gate dropped though, to signal the start of moto one, it was Graeme Irwin who was first to react.
Before the pack had completed the opening lap, though, that man Whatley was already in control with Irwin, Josh Waterman, Bryan MacKenzie, Luke Hawkins, Alex Snow and James Dodd chasing hard, as Nev Bradshaw surprisingly circulated down in 13th. Whatley and Irwin gradually opened up a healthy advantage for themselves at the front, while the action was red hot and raging throughout the pack, with MacKenzie in particular wowing the crowd with some massive air-time.
He forced his way up to third and brilliantly held off the close attentions of a determined Hawkins, the two battling riders crossing the finish-line almost side-by-side.
Waterman came home in a solid fifth ahead of Snow, as Ashley Wilde produced a great ride to move from 17th right up to seventh, just ahead of Luke Mellows and Bradshaw.
With the track rapidly drying out following overnight rain, Whatley ensured totally clear vision for himself by producing a motocross masterclass and controlling the second Battery Energy Pro clash from start to finish.
After strong opening moto performances though, both Snow and Hawkins were well downfield in the early stages and with it all to do.
As Kristian galloped to an untroubled and comfortable victory, Irwin moved up past fast-starting Waterman and MacKenzie to earn another impressive second spot.
Adding some International flavour to the Masters, Japanese star Yoshi Atsuka was also in action and eventually claimed a fine third spot in moto two, moving up to then fend-off the likes of Waterman, MacKenzie, Bradshaw, Carless and Wilde.
Following their slightly indifferent starts, Hawkins eventually took ninth and Snow 11th.
With Whatley already crowned Pro MX1 King, Nev Bradshaw needs a mere eight points from the final round at Pontrilas to take home the Pro MX2 title.
