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Home Grand Prix proves a tough test for CCM |
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Monday, 02 June 2008 |
CCM racing endured a tough weekend at their home Grand Prix held at Mallory Park, with the Bolton based team suffering two set backs at an event that had promised so much. Having already lost regular riders Oliver Sandiford-Smith and Richie Worrall to injuries during the early part of this season, the recent recruitment of Kristian Whatley looked to have brought better fortunes...
Following his initial outing for the team, Whatley appeared to have every chance of qualifying for the two main MX2 races.
However disaster was about to strike the British manufacturer for the third time this season. During Saturday’s initial practice session Kristian landed heavily on the down slope of the monster triple jump, which saw the riders leap several metres above the many thousands of British fans who had turned out to see CCM take on the World runners. Whilst Whatley did not crash, the resulting impact was enough for him to break his wrist and to bring a very premature and disappointing end to Kristian’s CCM GP debut.
With Whatley being taken care of at the local hospital, CCM’s lone surviving rider in the form of Greg Hanson was left with the hefty responsible of carrying the British team to glory as he looked to pick up from his outstanding performance at the opening round of the Veteran class. Third place in the initial free practice session eventually translated to a respectable fifth spot for Hanson in Saturday afternoon’s all-important timed qualifying period.
Sunday dawned with even more pressure for Hanson, with a packed crowd eager for some home success, this was clearly expressed by the many Union Jack flags that lined the newly built circuit. Greg did not disappoint and made a great start in the first moto to hold fifth position at the end of lap one, and remain very much in contention with the front runners. A lap later and Hanson had moved into fourth and was now hunting down the top three.
A sustained and determined effort by the ex-national champion brought its reward as Hanson claimed third place with just three laps to go. Not content with a podium finish Greg then went after Thorpe, and came so close to snatching second spot away from the ex multi World champion, but eventually had to settle for third spot.
Race two was a similar story with Greg making a top six start, before beginning to cut his way through the field. Again it was Hanson who was the fans’ favourite as he leapt highest over the triple that had been his team mate’s down fall. However in an ironic twist of fate it would be the same section of track that was to bring Greg’s charge to a dramatic stop. Another heavy landing took its toll as Greg’s rear tyre was ripped from the rim causing both him and the bike to be catapulted into the air. Although the resulting impact wrecked the factory CCM, Hanson was left shaken and bitterly disappointed, but thankfully uninjured.
Results:
2008 FIM Veteran Motocross World Cup – Round 2 Great Britain
Moto One: 1: Iven 2: Thorpe 3: Hanson 4: Blancquaert 5: Simon
Moto Two: 1: Iven 2: Thorpe 3: Blancquaert 4: van Dijk 5: House….DNF: Hanson
Championship: 1: Iven 82 2: Thorpe 68 3: van Dijk 67 4: Godfroid 63 5: Eastwood 57…..8: Hanson 51
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