Is Searle out of Maxxis British Championship until May?

The Maxxis ACU British Motocross MX1 Championship is wide open now following news that rider Tommy Searle may not return to the Championship until atleast May when the series heads to the famous Hawkstone Park circuit for Round 4.

The news that defending Maxxis ACU British MX1 champion Tommy Searle is unlikely to make his comeback from injury until round four of the series at Hawkstone Park on May 14 has thrown the championship wide open.

Tommy was hoping to be back in action for the second round at Lyng on April 9 but his recovery from a knee operation on an injury sustained before Christmas in California has been slower than anticipated.

The Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki rider is now aiming to be riding again by mid-April ready for his return to action.

“I’ve been off the bike for four months,” he said, “so I’ll need at least three to four weeks to get back into it.”

The MX1 class at the opening round at Culham earlier this month was dominated by Hitachi KTM UK’s Jake Nicholls. Already up to full race speed after contesting the first two MXGPs of the year, the Ipswich-based racer won both motos.

With his home round at Lyng up next – and another two GPs under his belt – he’s got to start favourite but there are some very fast riders waiting to take advantage of any mistakes by Jake.

Buildbase Honda’s Graeme Irwin, in his first race back after shoulder surgery, finished second at Culham on a tie-break with Hobbs Kawasaki’s 2015 MX2 champion Steven Lenoir and both riders should figure in the results.

Two-time champion Brad Anderson will also be a threat on the Verde Sports Racing KTM along with Kristian Whatley, another former champ, racing for Apico Husqvarna and Geartec Husqvarna’s Elliott Banks-Browne who was fastest qualifier at Culham but finished down the order after failing to score points in race two following his third in the opening moto.

Admission is £20 for adults and £5 for children with family tickets priced at £45. Practice starts at 9am with the first race in the six-moto programme at 11.55am. The Cadders Hill track is located one mile north of the A1067 Norwich to Fakenham road and three miles from the A47 Norwich to King’s Lynn road. Postcode is NR9 5QZ.