Thursday 2 March 2023

RACE REPORT: 2023 Ashbrook Hawkstone Worldwide


A number of the finest riders on the earth descended on the legendary Shropshire sands for the 2023 Ashbrook Hawkstone Worldwide and handled the immense crowd to some world class Motocross motion in superb situations.

Phrases: Ben Rumbold | Pictures: Brett Smith Pictures

With the forecast answering the same old query about Hawkstone – “Is the hill gonna be in?!” – the riders made the eye-opening transfer out of the pitbox within the morning to right away blast up the monitor’s most well-known landmark!  The queue into the circuit grew massively and even the very high riders observed the scale of the gang. Monster Vitality Yamaha star man Glenn Coldenhoff was quickest virtually right away, with returning ex-pat Adam Sterry only a quarter of a second again in 2nd place.  The timing screens confirmed the title Calum Mitchell in third till we realised that #32 was former Belgian MXoN workforce member Brent van Doninck on his new JM Racing Honda, forward of star attraction Jeffrey Herlings, Sterry’s Sarholz KTM teammate Henri Jacobi and Hawkstone virgin Romain Febvre on the Manufacturing unit Kawasaki.

Dylan Walsh put smiles on the faces of the GTCI Revo Kawasaki workforce with P1 within the 250 class, and eightth total, three seconds forward of the subsequent finest 250, Riley Racing Yamaha’s Joel Rizzi. Shaun Simpson was mid-pack on the Gabriel SS24 KTM however had an exquisite line on the backside of the hill, while Ben Franklin bought bitten by the grabby Hawkstone sand and was thrown over the bars of his Chambers Racing GASGAS!  He was shaken up however raced within the MX2 class regardless, and got here dwelling a really creditable 6th total ultimately.

Race Time!

Your reporter and anybody who paid consideration to our preview function’s “The place to look at” part loved the sights of the start-line filling up for the primary time in 2023.  The combined-classes line-up could not at all times be common however it was nice to see a full grid of fresh, recent, model new professionally-prepared Motocross bikes fired up for the brand new season. It wasn’t so nice for Herlings nonetheless, whose Purple Bull KTM’s rear wheel spun like a slick and he was bathroom final heading up the beginning straight! There have been just a few phrases amongst the riders of wheel spin on the GP-style grid.

Jeffrey Herlings bought some overtaking practise in race one as he labored up from bathroom final to seventh. Right here he passes the Chambers Racing GASGAS of Tom Grimshaw.

Febvre was immediately gelling with the monitor and led by the bushes, Coldenhoff snapping at his heels. Sterry & Jacobi had been proper up there in 3rd & 4th as Herlings crossed the timing beam because the 30th bike on monitor! Martin Barr carried throughout his sharpness from Arenacross with an excellent begin and held down 5th place on the Apico Husqvarna forward of Ashton Dickinson, till the TALK Templant KTM man suffered a small tip over on the nook earlier than the end on lap three.

“McVities” Husqvarna man – nice sponsorship deal! – Jamie Regulation was initially the highest MX2 bike however fell down the order on the opening circuit. Joel Rizzi was swiftly taking over the working in that class however Walsh didn’t full a lap with a crank bearing failure.  Sam Nunn additionally had begin however stalled the bike and the new 250 wouldn’t restart rapidly, costing him a variety of time.

Romain Febvre took to Hawkstone like a duck to water and received his first moto on the legendary circuit.

In his full-time grownup racing debut, teenager Ollie Colmer on the 250 TALK Templant KTM ran within the high three in MX2 for a lot of the race behind the Gabriel SS24 KTM of Taylor Hammal, earlier than the TRU7 Honda of late entry Jake Nicholls put in his quickest lap on the ultimate circulation to disclaim Colmer a high three place.

Jake Nicholls solely made the choice to race on the Monday earlier than however put in an excellent efficiency for 2nd in MX2.

After 10 minutes, Coldenhoff closed in on Febvre. Sterry was going with them, while Herlings was having to cope with Simpson, Dickinson (“I’d have held him off if it weren’t for arm-pump” he joked later!), Tom Grimshaw on the Chambers Racing GASGAS, and the Verde Sports activities KTM of Liam Knight.

Van Doninck had additionally spun off the gate however set the quickest lap on lap 4 of the 12, and was coming good on the finish. He handed Jacobi and Sterry (“I bought screwed up by a backmarker which value me 3rd,” stated the Welshman) within the final 4 laps to deliver it dwelling in 3rd behind Coldenhoff, who couldn’t fairly lay a glove on Febvre because the Frenchman edged away within the second half of the race for a high-quality win in his first Hawkstone moto.

The second race determined the general lead to each lessons in addition to the gate decide order for the Superfinal the place the MX2 bikes would get a headstart. This time Glenn took the holeshot and led from a a lot increased up Jeffrey, with Febvre struggling off the gate this time spherical, virtually as unhealthy as Van Doninck (“I had actual unhealthy wheelspin each moto on the beginning!”). The pair had been eighth and 12th as they powered up the hill for the primary time, previous your reporter’s nostril! You really want to get to the highest of that hill if it’s open – examine the video on our Fb and Instagram!

MX1 Worldwide winner Glenn Coldenhoff flies by the tunnel. He took the win within the Superfinal as nicely.

Chambers GASGAS man Alfie Jones, beginning solely his second 12 months within the grownup ranks after successful the Youth 250cc British title in 2021, was the main MX2 rider forward of Nicholls and Rizzi. Nicholls bought previous Jones on the second lap, Rizzi two laps later, and the 2 Brits with a 15-year age hole between them battled it out for the entire race!  Rizzi was having fun with the scrap – “the extra skilled guys are so intelligent, you may study a lot from individuals like Jake after which Shaun within the Superfinal.”

Febvre bought previous Barr, Grimshaw, Sterry, and a struggling Davy Pootjes to run 4th after lap two, however Coldenhoff and Herlings had made a break, Jeffrey admittedly pushing his hardest as he set the quickest time of the race on that second lap. “The pace Glenn was going was good for me, however I didn’t wish to take a danger after what occurred to #243 [reigning champ Tim Gajser, who broke his leg in Italy the weekend before], I simply didn’t need any accidents earlier than the season.” Alvin Ostlund pushed his JWR Honda as much as 6th behind Sterry, however each would fall prey to the charging Van Doninck, who once more was the quickest man on the monitor within the second half of the race!

Brent van Doninck, right here main Febvre, confirmed nice pace as he prepares for a full-time return to MXGP. He could possibly be a serious risk within the smooth stuff.

Febvre handed Jacobi about midway by the race, as Hammal and Colmer scrapped it out for 4th 250 behind Jones. Van Doninck wore down the 2 Sarholz KTM males to complete a high-quality 4th, ok for 3rd total.  MX1 ended with the star sights in 1-2-3 formation, the Hoff successful from Herlings and Febvre.  Regardless of having a quantity plate that appears a bit like a PW50 (in accordance with Brad Wheeler), that manufacturing facility Yamaha is a damned good bike!

Rizzi confirmed spectacular perseverance along with his lap occasions barely dropping by the race, and on the penultimate lap he bought previous Nicholls to seal the general MX2 win! “The category wasn’t as stacked as normal, however I felt good, match sufficient to essentially push each lap. The Riley Racing Yamaha workforce is sort of a household, and I’m prepared to provide every thing within the MX2 GP season.”  Jones held on for an excellent 3rd within the MX2 class, and Colmer held off Hammal, whose 2-5 card was sufficient for 3rd total behind Nicholls and Rizzi.  These younger lads (not you Jake, sorry!) are going to provide us some nice racing on the British scene in 2023, particularly while you stir Nicholls’ workforce riders into the combo!

MX1 Total:

  1. Glenn Coldenhoff (Monster Vitality Yamaha) – 47 Pts (2-1)
  2. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki Manufacturing unit Racing) – 45 Pts (1-3)
  3. Brent van Doninck (JM Racing Honda) – 38 Pts (3-4)
  4. Jeffrey Herlings (Purple Bull KTM) – 36 Pts (7-2)
  5. Adam Sterry (Sarholz KTM) – 33 Pts (4-6)
  6. Henry Jacobi (Sarholz KTM) – 32 Pts (5-5)
  7. Alvin Ostlund (JWR Honda Racing) – 29 Pts (6-7)
  8. Shaun Simpson (Gabriel SS24 KTM) – 25 Pts (9-8)
  9. Tom Grimshaw (Chambers GASGAS) – 20 Pts (12-10)
  10. Liam Knight (Verde Sports activities KTM) – 20 Pts (10-12)

MX2 Total:

  1. Joel Rizzi (Riley Racing Yamaha) – 50 Factors (1-1)
  2. Jake Nicholls (TRU7 Honda) – 42 Factors (3-2)
  3. Taylor Hammal (Gabriel SS24 KTM) – 38 Pts (2-5)
  4. Ollie Colmer (TALK Templant KTM) – 36 Pts (4-4)
  5. Alfie Jones (Chambers GASGAS) – 35 Pts (6-3)
  6. Ben Franklin (Chambers GASGAS) – 29 Pts (5-8)
  7. Jamie Wainwright (WPH/SBE Engineering KTM) – 27 Pts (8-7)
  8. Sam Nunn (Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha) – 26 Pts (7-9)
  9. Calum Mitchell (Lexa MX Husqvarna) – 25 Pts (11-6)
  10. Rory Jones (IDS Transport/Trip KTM) – 22 Pts (10-10)

Superfinal

With the staggered begin giving the MX2 riders a small headstart, the unbelievable occurred and Jake Nicholls took the holeshot! Nunn, Alfie Jones, Rizzi, and Jamie Wainwright on the WPH/SBE Engineering KTM adopted by with Coldenhoff, Febvre, and Herlings already pouring by the pack earlier than they crossed the end line stripe.  Van Doninck sneaked previous Herlings amongst the MX2 chaos as Coldenhoff and Febvre hit the entrance by lap two! Rizzi held quick in opposition to the MX1 onslaught, staying forward of Herlings till the second full lap and solely yielding to Jacobi and the JWR Honda of Alvin Ostlund earlier than half-distance – the Swede had an incredible line into the sandpit, leaping virtually onto the far right-hand financial institution!

Herlings admitted to being “off” after such a very long time off the bike however it was nonetheless nice to see The Bullet at work within the sand.

Febvre attacked the Hoff on lap three, blasting across the exterior of the Dutchman within the center loop of the circuit to the joy of the packed crowd.  He was foiled by the within line bounce after the tabletop and Glenn clung on. Van Doninck was amazingly quick across the lengthy right-hander on the very backside of the monitor earlier than the sandpit. Simply earlier than the top of lap 5, as Romain was pressuring Coldenhoff once more, he was all of a sudden caught out by the Honda man completely hanging it out across the exterior! Brent posted the quickest lap of the whole race on that circulation and immediately set after Coldenhoff.  He very practically bought across the Yamaha on the identical nook however once more, Glenn did simply sufficient.  It stayed in that order, Van Doninck visibly exhibiting the efforts within the pits as he actually pushed in opposition to two of the world’s finest, staying forward of Febvre and Herlings, who had a small tip-over on the way in which to 4th.  For the second straight 12 months, Coldenhoff lifted the Georges Jobe Trophy because the Superfinal winner and was a really pleased boy!

Rizzi was caught and handed by Shaun Simpson on lap seven and the pair had an entertaining little scrap, with the #24 simply getting the higher of the Yamaha child virtually half his age! Rizzi was the one MX2 rider to complete on the lead lap as Nicholls pulled out early – “I simply bought no pores and skin left on my arms, a stark reminder of retirement!”. Wainwright put in a stable trip to complete because the second-highest MX2 pilot, simply forward of Nunn and Alfie Jones.

Superfinal Outcomes:

  1. Glenn Coldenhoff (Monster Vitality Yamaha) – 12 Laps – 28 minutes 46.111 seconds
  2. Brent van Doninck (JM Racing Honda) -4.503 seconds
  3. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki Manufacturing unit Racing) -9.515s
  4. Jeffrey Herlings (Purple Bull KTM) -49.155s
  5. Henry Jacobi (Sarholz KTM) -1m 9.451s
  6. Alvin Ostlund (JWR Honda Racing) -1m 13.091s
  7. Shaun Simpson (Gabriel SS24 KTM) -2m 12.472s
  8. Joel Rizzi (Riley Racing Yamaha) -2m 12.845s
  9. Liam Knight (Verde Sports activities KTM) -2m 15.554s
  10. Hardi Roosiorg (JWR Honda Racing) -2m 18.418s

Assist Lessons:

The EMX children hit the circuit earlier than the Worldwide races in every block, and the general was break up between the three motos.  It was an excellent present of two-stroke 125cc racing, and Finnish star Kasimir Hindesson took the general with 2-1-1 motos, chased all the way in which by first moto winner Reece Jones, who simply pushed the entrance out while pressuring Hindesson late in race two, and suffered an analogous crash earlier in race three. Jones’ pace was spectacular and he will probably be one to look at on the British scene in addition to EMX this season. Northern Irish star Cole McCullough was per 3rd in every moto, while Wal Beaney shared the 4th & 5th place finishes with 125cc debutant Jake Walker.

Our ideas exit to younger Ashden Barlow, who suffered a crash that induced the stoppage of the second EMX 125 race. He was taken to hospital and on the time if writing continues to be present process therapy. While his household have requested for privateness and for NO pictures or movies of the crash to be shared round, they’re pleased for individuals to ship playing cards and finest needs by publish to: Ashden Barlow, Ward 227, Royal Stoke College Hospital, ST4 6QG

The Grownup Assist class opened the racing and was dominated by Arai Elcock, the quickest man named after a model of crash helmet round Hawkstone Park! Three race wins did the enterprise forward of Johnjoe Wright who bought 2nd every time.  After a hard first moto, Reece Ross was surprisingly the one #84 to get on the rostrum all day with a 7-3-3 card.

EMX 125 Outcomes:

  1. Kasimir Hindesson (Moto Palvelu KTM) – 72 Factors (2-1-1)
  2. Reece Jones (SJP Moto KTM) – 69 Factors (1-2-2)
  3. Cole McCullough (Milwaukee KTM) – 60 Pts (3-3-3)
  4. Wal Beaney (Yamaha) – 52 Pts (5-4-4)
  5. Jake Walker (Mr T’s Racing KTM) – 50 Pts (4-5-5)
  6. Beau Brown (AGR Motorsport KTM) – 45 Pts (6-6-6)
  7. Freddie Gardiner (MGMX KTM) – 40 Pts (9-7-7)
  8. Yarin Evans (SRH Racing KTM) – 31 Pts (15-9-8)
  9. Lucy Barker (MGMX KTM) – 29 Pts (11-14-9)
  10. Wesley McGavin (KTM) – 24 Pts (17-8-14)

Grownup Assist Outcomes:

  1. Arai Elcock (KTM) – 75 Factors (1-1-1)
  2. Johnjoe Wright (Mr Dig/Ninety One Moto Honda) – 66 Factors (2-2-2)
  3. Reece Ross (Ross Quarry Merchandise Husqvarna) – 54 Pts (7-3-3)
  4. Ben Zeale (Mundell Plant Rent GASGAS) – 44 Pts (5-4-11)
  5. Charlie Griffiths (RFX KTM) – 40 Pts (10-10-4)
  6. Sam Hughes (Digga Leases/FIR/Ace Suspension KTM) – 40 Pts (9-7-7)
  7. Brad Thornhill (LMC/Radcord KTM) – 39 Pts (13-6-5)
  8. Harvey Cashmore (Chambers GASGAS) – 38 Pts (4-12-10)
  9. Hudson Roper (3Flo/Madison/Crescent Yamaha) – 37 Pts (11-9-6)
  10. David Finnamore (Ross Quarry Merchandise Husqvarna) – 32 Pts (8-11-12)

All informed it was an incredible day’s racing at Hawkstone, most riders expressed their gratitude for the scale of the gang and liked the circuit. As Adam Sterry put it “British Motocross isn’t lifeless!” and hopefully variety of these spectators will enterprise out to the Michelin Nationals and the Revo British Championship the place the superior racing will proceed in 2023!

See the hyperlink beneath for our Publish-Race Podcast with interviews and insights from the celebs of the day.

Hawkstone Publish-Race Podcasts that includes Herlings and Febvre – MX Vice



The post RACE REPORT: 2023 Ashbrook Hawkstone Worldwide appeared first on lickscycles.com.



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