Dirt Store Triumph Racing returned to the top step of the podium in the MX2 class at the second round of the MXGB Championship, as reigning champion Tommy Searle claimed third and first place finishes to secure the overall victory.
The team also achieved back-to-back podiums in the MX1 division with Ben Watson, who retains the championship points lead heading into round three.
MX2 Class: Searle Secures Top Honours as Askew Closes in on the Podium
Tommy Searle continued to display his pedigree as the veteran pieced together a brilliant weekend at Preston Docks, placing his TF 250-X on the top step of the podium and claiming back a valuable amount of championship points after a tough opening round. Qualifying sixth, Tommy gated well in the opening moto, positioning himself in third and on the heels of the leading duo.
Towards the end of the race, he maintained the pace of the front runners, sitting just two seconds behind before the race came to a premature end due to a red flag, awarding Tommy third place and Billy Askew sixth, who was battling for fourth.
READ MORE: BRITISH MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS
Race two was a Triumph frenzy at the front, as Tommy pulled the holeshot with Billy following in second place. Tommy put a picture-perfect race together to lead every lap en route to securing the overall victory on the weekend, and his third aboard the TF 250-X. Billy displayed great pace to keep Tommy in his sights for the entirety of the 25 minutes plus two laps, holding second place until the final lap, which secured him third position just three seconds behind Tommy at the chequered flag.
MX1 Class: Watson Secures Third Overall and Retains the Red Plate
Ben Watson secured back-to-back podiums for the TF 450-X with his third overall at Preston Docks. Qualifying third, he had a battle on his hands in Race 1 after crashing on the first lap whilst battling to pass into second place. He charged back through the field to cross the chequered flag in fourth place, a valiant effort from the former Grand Prix winner.
Another strong start in Race 2 saw Watson quickly move into third on lap three, holding his position for the remainder of the moto as he battled to continue his podium-visiting start to the British Championship. Strong, consistent laps until the finish awarded Watson third overall on the weekend, retaining the red plate heading into the third round at Lyng.
Weekend Summary:
After a tough opening round on the MX2 side of things, to bounce back with an overall victory with Tommy, and to narrowly miss out on a double team podium with Billy, was pivotal. We are extremely proud of the team’s efforts to put themselves right back in the mix. Tommy made a big step back towards the top of the championship, now sitting in third and just 12 points away from the red plate. For Billy to bounce back after an extremely gutting weekend on the EMX scene was great to see, injecting confidence back into himself and displaying the true race-winning speed he is capable of.
Continuing to display the strengths of the TF 450-X in the MX1 class is fantastic. Ben’s fight through the pack in Race 1 was superb after the opening lap fall, and whilst he will be a little disappointed not to be closer to the front two, an overall podium and remaining at the top of the championship standings is a brilliant position to be in heading into round three in a couple of weeks’ time.
The team extends its thanks to all sponsors and technical partners for their continued support and dedication. Dirt Store Triumph Racing remains committed to keeping their run of good form going over the remaining rounds.
Words and Images by Dirt Store Triumph – Cult Moto
