24 competitors made the trip to Swindon, to contest the second round of the 2025 EMX Quadcross campaign, with no less than 8 British riders entered for this weekend. Track conditions were optimal, with the Fox Hills circuit draped over Wiltshire countryside, in overcast conditions, it was certainly safe to say that this weekend may prove beneficial for the Brit’s.
Words by EMX Quads – Feature Image courtesy of Earths Eye Media
Pre-Qualifying Practice –
The track had been freshly-watered, as the quadcross competitors took to the circuit to take part in the pre-qualifying practice, and this would lay the foundation of our expectations for the qualifying race later on this afternoon, to determine the gate-picks for tomorrow’s point-scoring events.
Such is the nature of this circuit, with its narrow and flowing characteristics. It came as no surprise that the initial lap times were close, however, it is safe to say that we did not expect 7 riders to be within 2 seconds of each other, at the top of the timesheet. Reigning champion Harry Walker and Belgian star Randy Naveaux traded the top spot, with former vice-champion, Christopher Tvaraen, completing the session within the top 3 spots, ahead of Manfred Zienecker, Patrick Turrini, Mark Mclernon and Mike van Grinsven.
At the time of the chequered flag, it was Walker who took the top placing with a 2:16.195 laptime, ahead of Naveaux by 0.299 seconds.
Qualifying Race –
After the initial arguing of position from the gate and into the first handful of turns, Walker and Dafydd Davies emerged as the leaders of the race, however, a rare error from the #1-plate holder saw him drop down to eighth position in the opening stages of the race, with Zienecker being the main beneficiary and overcoming both Walker and Davies, to take the reigns on the race. He would lead the race for a brief period, however, current points-leader Turrini would soon find a way through, to lead the pack around this 1.9km circuit.
Karl Robin Rillo certainly did not enjoy the start that he may have expected, and would drop outside of the top-20, giving the teenage ace plenty of work to do throughout the 20-minute and 2 laps race. The home support seemed to be working as, despite a difficult start to the race, Walker, along with Davies, Mclernon, Graham and Haslett would sit inside the top-10 in the first half of the race, however, this would soon change as Tvaraen, Karlis Neija and Marcus Thomsen worked their way into the top 10, throughout the course of the event.
With nothing but clear track in front of him, Turrini would extend his lead to over 4 seconds when, unbeknownst to him, Naveaux would sneak through on Zienecker for 2nd position, and set about chasing after the series leader. Whilst this was occurring, van Grinsven and Mclernon were frantically arguing over the 5th position, with Mclernon firing his Yamaha up the inside of van Grinsven, who retaliated perfectly by cutting down and driving his Honda underneath the British rider. This would be a 5th position he would not relinquish throughout the duration of the race.
With only a handful of laps remaining, and after stalking him for a couple, Naveaux would make his presence felt by snatching the race lead away from the grasp of Turrini who, seemingly, could not quite match the pace of the Belgian from this point forward. It is safe to say that there is unfinished business here in Fox Hills for Walker and Rillo, who shall be heading back to their pit area dissatisfied, but nonetheless, determined to change the trajectory of their weekend, to come back stronger in the races on Sunday.
Results
