Charlie Cole on the podium at Bridgestone British Masters Round 2 for Phoenix Tools Even Strokes Kawasaki
The Bridgestone British Masters run one of the UK’s most significant amateur and youth meetings and, this year, field an Expert class. Round two of the Bridgestone Masters was a welcome one for Carlton Husband with the track in the North East. Carlton did not disappoint when he went half a second quicker than anyone on lap five in qualifying to take the pole. Riding the KXF250 against the 450s, Charlie Cole would finish in the third-fastest time—a great start to the day for the team.
Race one, Charlie and Carlton went around the first corner in the top five and away from trouble. Charlie managed to get the better of Carlton in the turn, and they both found themselves in third and fifth, respectively. By the end of lap one, Carlton had managed to gain fourth position and worked his way to catch Charlie. On lap seven, Carlton found the pass to move into third. A lap later, disaster struck Carlton, and a loss of power meant he would exit the race and return to the pits. Good news for Charlie, though, who would finish the race in third position, and Carlton would finish with a DNF.
Race two and riders struggled around turn one, with Charlie in eighth and Carlton in last after being stuck on the gate. They would have a lot of work to do to get to the front, and the leaders would have a clear track from the start. Both put the hammer down, and in lap one, Charlie dispensed off two riders to work his way to sixth, and Carlton passed four to move into seventh. A mistake on lap two led Carlton to lose five positions and start the comeback again. Charlie was again the first MX2 rider to finish but would have to settle for fourth in the race when his teammate passed him a few laps from the end, Carlton eventually working his way up to third.
Charlie Cole scored his first podium on the season with a third overall and Carlton finished tenth due to the DNF.
An excellent run-out and the team are now ready for the British Championship at Canada Heights this weekend.
Barry Moore – Team Owner
“I’m really pleased with the progress of both riders. It’s only round two, and they both show excellent form. It’s always good to see a rider grab a podium, and it’s nice for Charlie to get his first for the team.”
Carlton Husband – MX1
“I definitely feel I had the speed and fitness to win at School House, going p1 in qualifying. In the first race, I got a little caught up in the second corner with another rider and worked my way up to third until the mechanical. A freak mechanical on the start gate for race two made me drop a few seconds on the gate, going around the first corner in the last position. Then, the charge I put on led to a mistake. I put my head down and charged through the pack, and by the end, I managed third.”|
Charlie Cole – MX2
“I really enjoyed the weekend and it was nice to go to a new venue. A third and fourth for third overall is a good step for me in the right direction, nice to get out and put some good motos in against the 450’s!”
Words and Feature Image by Phoenix Tools Even Strokes Kawasaki
