After three very tough and highly competitive rounds in the 2020 AMCA British Motocross Championship, it’s now time for the crucial penultimate event. In this super quick fire series powered by Datatag and supported by Dunlop, those serious title contenders now know that one big mistake or mechanical failure will probably end their Championship aspirations!
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This weekend it’s a return to Long Lane, near Telford and as expected it’s certainly very tight at the top of a MX1 class stacked full of quality. Luke Burton leads the way just 6 points clear of Josh Waterman with Ashley Greedy a further 23 points in arrears. On the first visit to Long Lane, Burton scorched to an immaculate maximum so he certainly knows the fast lines around the venue and will be looking for a repeat podium topping performance on Sunday! Waterman and Greedy though are also top riders and will be pulling out all of the stops to ensure that they go to the finale still right in contention for that MX1 crown. Out to try and stop the current top three and reel them back in will be the likes of Adam Chatfield, James Dodd, Corie Southwood, Tommy Alba and Neville Bradshaw.
Nine races and nine wins, Jamie Wainwright is certainly the boss in MX2. Currently holding 2nd in the standings is Ryan Crowder, a place he has certainly earned with consistent top rides and podiums at both Boraston and Warmingham Lane on his rapid 2T KTM. Below Ryan, just 10 points separate the hard charging trio of Josh Coleman, Henry Williams and Luke Dean. In this very competitive MX2 class which always produces close, on the edge racing, Jansen Day, Jordan Eccles and Lewis Dowdeswell are next up.
With three podiums and five moto wins, Welsh ace Shane Carless tops the 125cc standings. At present, Shane is 48 points clear of Jimmy Margetson with Damon Strydom in 3rd. Looking at the Championship table, the current top three have forged a little bit of breathing space for themselves but in this class anything simply could and probably will happen! The fast starting Nathan Bache, Jonathan Roderick-Evans, Travis Steels, Luke Newman and Jordan Wright are next in the standings. Looking for potential spoilers on Sunday, then how about Clinton Barrs and Matt Ridgway who have both produced some very strong performances during the last two rounds. Indeed Ridgway is right on it and will have certainly been buoyed by a podium placing last time out!
The Lane Brothers James and Simon still hold the top two places in the 2020 Vets title chase. Although they suffered their first moto defeat of the season at Warmingham when 2019 AMCA Vets Champion Jamie Powell got the better of them, the Lanes are definitely in control of their own destiny. After three rounds, James sits on 437 points, 12 ahead of Simon with the fast starting Paul Burn in 3rd. Going into the Long Lane event this weekend, next up in the Vets are Kevin Rogers, Anthony Bennett, Chris Jones and John Barnes.
After bagging a Warmingham maximum, Joel Fisher has closed the gap on Youth 85cc leader Yarin Evans to just 4 points. With Fisher and Evans looking likely to go head to head for the title glory, the battle for bronze could be equally intriguing. Lewis Roden, Caleb Greaves, Oliver Rigby, Falon Baillie, Harley Prickett and Oakley Kettle have already shown that they are right up for that particular challenge!
Leading Championship positions
MX1 (Top ten) 1 Luke Burton (Geartec Honda) 406 points 2 Josh Waterman 400 (IDS Transport/Hardcore Racing Yamaha) 3 Ashley Greedy 377 (FUS Marsh MX Husqvarna) 4 Adam Chatfield 374 (Wulfsport/ Meredith MX Suzuki) 5 James Dodd 366 (JSR Thunderroad Honda) 6 Corie Southwood 357 (Langmead & Hay Kawasaki) 7 Neville Bradshaw 309 (500cc Honda) 8 Tommy Alba 309 (The Grafix Shack KTM) 9 Will Hughes 275 (SRH Racing) 10 Mark Roberts 263 (FastEddy KTM).
MX2 1 James Wainwright 450 points (Wainwright Plant & Haulage KTM) 2 Ryan Crowder 387 (Hazport/Sandiford KTM) 3 Josh Coleman 367 (Wulfsport/Meredith MX Suzuki) 4 Henry Williams 366 (Apex KTM UK) 5 Luke Dean 357 (5 Two Racing KTM) 6 Jansen Day 335 (LRT Midwest Husqvarna) 7 Jordan Eccles 320 (FUS Marsh MX Husqvarna) 8 Lewis Dowdeswell 306 (FUS Marsh MX Husqvarna) 9 Cory McShane 294 10 Mark Young 294 (JSR Thunderroad Honda).
125CC 1 Shane Carless 432 points (FUS Marsh MX Husqvarna) 2 Jimmy Margetson 384 (Wulfsport Maico) 3 Damon Strydom 362 (Apex KTM UK) 4 Nathan Bache 315 (KTM) 5 Jonathan Roderick-Evans 307 6 Travis Steels 306 (ANSA Redline KTM) 7 Luke Newman 306 (LRT Midwest Husqvarna) 8 Jordan Wright 296 (Rikki Priest Yamaha) 9 Clinton Barrs 294 (DK Offroad Kawasaki) 10 Matt Ridgway 262 (Midwest Husqvarna).
Vets 1 James Lane 437 points (LRT Midwest Husqvarna) 2 Simon Lane 425 (LRT Midwest Husqvarna) 3 Paul Burn 399 4 Kevin Rogers 344 (Morris Lubricants) 5 Anthony Bennett 339 (K & F Racing Kawasaki) 6 Chris Jones 339 (JSR Thunderroad Honda) 7 John Barnes 317 8 Brian Staples 289 (Redline KTM) 9 Gareth Dunsford 276 (D&G Master Builders) 10 Andrew Watkins 255.
Youth 85cc 1 Yarin Evans 429 points (J4M54 Pratice/SRH Racing KTM) 2 Joel Fisher 425 (MRS/Suomy KTM) 3 Lewis Roden 366 (Kenda Tyres) 4 Caleb Greaves 353 (Dirtshifter/Devotion Ink) 5 Oliver Rigby 343 (Tom Arnold/Lucas Oil) 6 Falon Baillie 305 (MDMX Apico Factory Racing) 7 Harley Prickett 294 (M P Highclass) 8 Oakley Kettle 287 (Rikki Priest Academy) 9 Cameron Woodburn 263 (Gritty People/Putoline UK) 10 Jonas Brown 258 (Phil Morris Racing).
Words and Photos by Mike Wood
