MAXXIS ROUND 3 CADDERS HILL

Subject: MAXXIS ROUND 3 CADDERS HILL Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:16 am

Expectations where high with the news AMA superstar Ben Townley would be riding this event and the Monster star was to be found camped out under the LPE Kawasaki awning. The CLS Monster Energy Pro Circuit machine looked the mutts nuts but could only put him in 7th after superpole!!!

Mx2 where first out on track and inevitably it was the Bike-It Cosworth Wild Wolfe Yamaha duo of Osborne and Tonus that set the quickest times in qualification, however Osborne was to be displaced from top spot in superpole by Tonus AND Pocock who has really started to gell with the TAS Suzuki.

Moto 1 started with Jordan Booker picking up a nice £100 holeshot bonus as he stuck the Red Bull KTM under Osborne into turn 1... his lead was short lived as both of Dixon's boys powered past and disappeared off into a race of their own... Osbourne had the legs on Tonus and maintained the lead then Tonus picked up a problem and dropped out of the points to eventually finish a lap down in 23rd leaving ZO with a comfortable win and more importantly the break he needed to get back on even terms in the points race with Tonus. EBB inheirited 2nd with Bryan Mackenzie coming under pressure in the latter stages from Ray Rowson who's form gets better each week. Scott Elderfield seems to now be adjusting to the Lanes Kawasaki and brought it home to round out the top 5.

MX1 was what the crowd was waiting for, more specifically Townley.... but it was an Ando CCM sandwich with Whatley tagging along for the ride that got the crowd on their toes... Church gatted with the PAR Honda barking at his ankles, Sword needed to beat Ando to regain lost points and he watched his team mate battle with his rival... Ando made his move just before half distance and Sword followed him through, all 3 riders could be covered with a flannel and Whatley hung onto the back of the express train... Church wasn't done and obviously didnt respect any pecking order in the CCM camp and re-took Sword 3 laps after losing the place!!! All the time Whatley was closing in and by lap 9 all four riders could take the win. Blue flags were being frantically waved to the slower riders and Whatley was the loser in the overtaking game as he ended up blocked on 2 seperate occasions by lapped riders, inexperience but a lesson learnt.... Ando did enough to hold the lead but with one lap to go Sword had seen his Church's weak spot and on the final lap took the inside line and cut Church off at the top of Cadders Hill to regain 2nd.

Moto 2 saw Townley gaet out of the gate right behind pole setter Sword and the crowd lined the chestnut fencing to watch the race unfold. Swords pace however was too quick to let Townley get a shot at passing and by mid distance Townley was in the pits! Krestinov and Whatley traded places as Whatley first passed the LPE rider then dropped down the order after an unusual mistake leaving Krestinov in 2nd after Townley's demise. Whatley charged hard and set about retaking the los places to Ando, Barr and Krestinov to move into second on lap 7, with 5 laps remaining he started to close the gap on Sword and crossed the line only 2 seconds down. Krestinov lost out to Barr and Ando and Ando got past Barr to take the final podium place at the flag.

The battle for supremacy in the MX2 class was well and truely now on. Osborne gatted and took off capitalising on Tonus's poor start by the time Tonus had got through to 2nd ZO was a distant spec and went on to another convincing win. The battle for rest was getting interesting with the rough track taking its toll as first EBB through away 22 points and had to charge back up through the pack then Rowson gave his podium position away and dropped down the order. Pocock managed a 3rd being the first non Dixon rider to cross the line followed by EBB and Rowson.
Moto 3 was the showdown.... inbetween motos someone told Rowson there was a £100 holeshot prize and that nearly was enough to get his Samsung Yamaha in front, only Osborne's determination superseeded him and he quickley came under attack from Tonus who then went after ZO ... Tonus put the number 7 out front on lap 6 and Osborne didnt look to have a response, 2 laps later and ZO made a mistake in the far field and Tonus took a comfortable victory narrowing the championship points gap back down to just 3 points in Osbournes favour.

The final encounter was to be where Whatley was to get his first Samsung Holeshot as he stormed into the lead gapping the field within 3 corners!!! Visably faster than 2nd placed Church he pulled out a sizeable lead and looked set to take his first victory for himself and the Samsung team in 2011. Ando had other ideas though and had moved past both CCM riders and into 2nd by lap 3, it took him a further 4 laps to catch Whatley and another to pass him to go on for the win and the overall on the day regaining the red plate in the process, Whatley looked every inch a winner and Samsung boss Roy Emberson later commented on Ando saying he knew his Bulldog spirit and strength would shine but our boy did good.

The series has shaped up to be a close run battle in both MX 1 and MX2 and round 4 at the new Milton Park track should be an interesting battle. See you there.