Maxxis 2012 MX series ends on a high note
Under: Maxxis Sport on
26 October 2012
The curtain came down on one of the most exciting Maxxis ACU
British Motocross Championships in recent years in dramatic style,
as Elliott Banks Browne (HM Plant KTM UK) managed to overturn a 16
point deficit to clinch victory in the MX2 class, while a second
place finish in the opening moto was enough to hand the MX1 title
to Kevin Strijbos.
Banks Browne and Pocock had swapped the lead throughout the
eight-round series and while the first MX2 moto of the season
finale at Little Silver, near Exeter went to Banks Browne, Pocock
(Monster Energy Bike It Yamaha) won the second encounter leaving
just a one-point gap between them going into the decider.
Banks Browne was lying second and Pocock fifth when Banks Browne
fell on the last lap and although his rival did his utmost to
capitalise on this turn of events, at the chequered flag Pocock was
three seconds adrift leaving Banks Browne to claim his first major
British title.
In the final races of the MX1 class Shaun Simpson posted two
wins and a second place in a bid to keep his championship hopes
alive, but it was not enough to prevent Strijbos - who was the
outright winner at the previous three rounds (Desertmartin,
Hawkstone Park and Langrish) - lifting the title, giving the HM
Plant KTM UK team the double.
2012 proved to be a challenging year for the Maxxis sponsored
teams, during which they showed good pace and posted some solid
results, although injury and illness made it difficult for them to
achieve consistency. However, the season ended on a high note
as 17-year-old Connor Walkley - 17th overall out of 47
riders in the MX2 class for Maxxis Henderson LPE Kawasaki - moved
up a gear, contesting the MX1 class at the final round.
Finishing in 12th place in his first MX1 race in the Maxxis ACU
British Motocross Championship, Walkley showed he is more than
capable of coping with the KX450F and his prospects for success in
2013 are extremely exciting. The team was further buoyed by
the efforts of guest rider Steven Lenoir, who finished ninth on the
day in the MX2 class and sixth in the championship standings.
In 2013 Maxxis celebrates ten years as title sponsor of the
British Championship, so was delighted to see it is so
well-supported by a Veterans championship, the MXY2 youth series
and the new MXY85 competition. British motocross also
continues to broaden its appeal, reaching an even bigger TV
audience in 2012 thanks to the superb Sky Sports coverage.
Having backed the factory Kawasaki MX squad for the past five
years, Maxxis is extending the partnership and significantly
increasing its investment in the team, which will compete as Maxxis
Kawasaki by LPE next season. Team manager Steve James is
already laying the foundations for 2013 and has boosted his rider
line-up with the signing of two-time British motocross champion
Brad Anderson.
Maxxis International UK's managing director Derek McMartin said:
"With so many riders now adopting and recommending Maxxis tyres, it
is only natural that our target is success in the British
Championship for which we are title sponsor.
"We value the commitment, support and loyalty that Steve James
and the team have shown over the past five years, and in 2013 they
will have the structure, paddock presence and budget to attract the
highest calibre of riders. Like all MX fans, we look forward
with eager anticipation to next season."
For further information about Maxxis motorcycle tyres take a
look around the rest of this website.
Keep up with the latest Maxxis ACU British Motocross
Championship news at www.mxgb.co.uk
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