Dirt Store Triumph moved one step closer to the 2025 Motul ACU British Motocross Championship MX2 title as Tommy Searle claimed first and third overall finishes in Duns to extend his championship lead. Billy Askew and Joel Rizzi were less fortunate – Askew crashed on Saturday, ruling him out for the weekend, while Rizzi went down at the start of Race 2 and was unable to continue.
MX2 Class: Double-Header Podium for Tommy Extends MX2 Points Lead
Tommy Searle once again displayed his class at Rounds 6 & 7 of the ACU British Motocross Championship in Duns. The double-header meant a jam-packed schedule, and both Searle and Askew placed inside the top five in Saturday’s qualifying, less than half a second off pole position. Race 1 saw Searle start just inside the top ten before charging through the pack to finish fourth, while Askew crashed hard on lap two, forcing him out for the rest of the weekend. Searle gated well in Race 2, stalking the race leader for the opening five laps before making his move into the lead.
Once again, he showed his experience by defending a late charge from Joe Brookes to secure the race win and the overall victory on Saturday. A strong start to Sunday’s racing saw Searle get out of the gate well in Race 1, where he clocked off consistent laps to secure second. A poorer start in Race 2 meant the veteran had to carve his way through the pack, eventually finishing fifth and taking third overall on the day. Most importantly, his charge forward saw Tommy pass his title rivals and claim vital points on them heading into Lyng.
READ MORE: BRITISH MOTOCROSS NEWS
MX1 Class: No Luck for Rizzi
Joel Rizzi started Saturday off on the right foot, placing inside the top ten in qualifying. Race 1 highlighted the progress he has made out of the gate on the TF 450-RC, as Joel started inside the top five before a few mistakes pushed him back to a 10th-place finish, still a step in the right direction. In Race 2, a mistake out of the gate left Rizzi dead last, but he fought his way back into the points to finish 17th. Sunday looked to be another promising day for the MX1 rookie, with another strong qualifying time setting him up well for Race 1. A great start saw Rizzi once again run inside the top five, battling with the group for much of the race before crossing the line in 8th. Unfortunately, a start crash in Race 2 forced Joel out of the race and he now requires further assessment following the incident. A tough break for Rizzi after fighting hard across both days in an effort to piece together a solid weekend for himself and the team on the 450 machine.
Weekend Summary:
Overall, it was a strong weekend for the team in the MX2 title fight. With so many races and points up for grabs over the course of a double-header, to come away with an overall win, a podium, and valuable championship points across both days marks an excellent trip north of the border. Tommy continues to impress as he battles with some of Europe’s and England’s fastest rising talents, yet still comes out on top, with the red plate firmly mounted on his Triumph machine heading into the final round at Lyng. Unfortunately for Billy and Joel, their weekends were cut short due to crashes, but both showed plenty of promise before being sidelined.
