IMBA Double weekend(part two)

Written by MIKE WOOD Wednesday, 31 August 2011 00:00

For part two of the IMBA Double weekend,MX1 were just across the Channel at Wingles in France whilst MX2 set out camp at the picturesque Datwil in Switzerland.

IMBA MX1(ROUND 5) AT WINGLES,FRANCE

Just a week after their battle of Germany,the AMCA riders contesting the IMBA MX1 European Championship made the relatively ‘short’ journey to Wingles in France,situated just over an hour from Calais.Top Brit on the day was to be Lee Dunham with a great 3^rd overall as Clinton Barrs was restricted to a final 8^th place finish following moto two chain problems.Producing another accomplished performance,Shaun Pearce got home in 10^th,Richard Meakin 18^th and Chris Neesam 23^rd.

It was to be a memorable start for the Brits in Wingles as Clinton Barrs led the moto one charge for three fast and furious laps with Vincent Collet,Jelle Grade,Frank  Jansen-Teitz and Lee Dunham for close company.Although Belgian Collet was to eventually move through and take the win,Barrs and Dunham remained right in contention all the way to the chequered flag  to get home in respective super 4^th and 5^th places.Shaun Pearce was the next best Brit in 12^th.

Moto two and what another fabulous start for the AMCA lads as this time Dunham gloriously led the way with Barrs tucked into 2^nd.With the smooth Dunham controlling at the front,in contrast it was to then be heartache for the very unlucky Barrs.Going into a deep,rutted corner,a protruding rock was to force his chain off its guide. Incredibly creating somewhat of a traffic jam,the same fouling obstacle was to also stop a further eight following riders including Richard Meakin who all also lost their chains!!.Upfront,Dunham was eventually passed on lap seven by Dutchman Vince Riechers but still gallantly hung onto earn a super 2^nd at the flag.With Pearce taking 10^th,Barrs and Meakin got their chains back on its guide before finishing 22^nd and 29^th as final Brit Chris Neesam was 25^th.

Dunham was to make another rapid start in the final Wingles moto,disputing the lead with Belgian Jelle Grade. Meanwhile after his lowly finish in moto two,Barrs had to settle for an outside start position in this clash but still made very impressive progress up the pack.In determined fashion,Clinton got home in 5^th with Dunham a very impressive 3^rd.Having his best ride of the day,Meakin was a fine 10^th,one place ahead of British teammate Pearce whilst Neesam took 22^nd.

With just one round remaining in the deep Dutch sand of Meijel,its still all to play for in MX1.Although German Teitz still leads the chase,he certainly showing signs of feeling the pressure being inserted by chasers Grade,Dunham and Barrs.Could be a classic in Holland with the home riders and Belgian sand experts sure to bag big points hauls whilst you can be also guaranteed that our British lads will be giving it their all in search of IMBA glory!!.

IMBA MX2 (ROUND 5)AT DATWIL,SWITZERLAND

Glorious sunshine greeted the British team as they arrived in Switzerland.However heavy rain and thunderstorms were to then batter Datwil,the venue for round five of the IMBA MX2 European Championship chase.Quickly ,the host club got to work,grading and scraping the circuit thus ensuring that come start-time and with a little help from the reappearing sun,the track was raceable,albeit a very fast one liner!!.With the home federation then importing some ex-GP runners into the line-up,the Brits were made to work very hard for their points as Shane Holmes finished top performer in a very impressive 5^th with Jack Taylor 10^th,Carl Benjamin 12^th,Scott Mathia 14^th, Scott Williams 15^th and Tom Neesam 26^th.

In moto one,Holmes made a great start holding 3^rd with Taylor and Benjamin also inside the top ten.Pushing hard it was always going to be difficult to make passes stick as painfully discovered by both Williams and Neesam who fell.Indeed young Neesam suffered a particularly nasty heavy downhill crash but still bravely picked himself up to finish the race.First Brit home in this clash was Holmes in 4^th,one place ahead of Taylor as Benjamin took 8th,Mathia 16^th and Williams 18^th.Taking the win in this opening encounter was home star Andy Baumgartner.

With series leader Rene Albers grabbing the moto two holeshot before surprisingly slipping back to 9^th,Taylor was to be the top Brit on this occasion in a great 4^th.Just one place behind was teammate Holmes with Mathia also just inside the top ten.After gating 17th,Benjamin worked very hard for 12^th with Williams 14^th and Neesam 23^rd.All top three places in this race were to be filled by Swiss riders.

The Swiss lads again dominated the final Datwil moto,a clash which was to produce contrasting fortunes for the Brits.Scott Mathia made a great start and was having a terrific ride in 6^th until a mistake on the very last lap when attempting to pass back-markers was to drop him back to 11^th.Jack Taylor was also having a stormer in 7^th only for his throttle sensor to be hit by a flying stone,ending his race and possibly also his Championship hopes.So top Brit was Holmes in 7^th with Williams 13^th and Benjamin 15^th.Final stop for the MX2 lads is Kleinau in Germany.