Geartec Husqvarna’s Elliott Banks-Browne continued his good start to the season with a trip to the podium at the second round of the Maxxis British Motocross Championships at a packed Canada Heights in Kent on Sunday. Fifth place in qualifying meant a good gate pick for the opening Moto, and with a half decent start, some clever manoeuvering and quick passes on the first few bends, Elliott found himself in second behind Jake Nicholls come the end of the first lap. Keeping a strong pace throughout the rest of the moto, Elliott fended off the hard riding Evgeny Bobryshev to stay in second place. In Moto 2, an improved start and a fast sweep on the first bend saw Elliott take an early lead and able to taste fresh air at the head of the field. Nicholls moved ahead on the second lap, with Elliott recording good consistent lap times to finish the race in 4th, which gave him third position overall.
Elliott Banks Browne – MX1 – 3rd Overall
“I wasn’t making the best starts but I managed the first corners well in both races, slipping round the outside of everyone. In my first race I was around 10th on the first bend but went round the outside and got into 4th and made some quick moves to get into 2nd on the first lap. In the second race I made a better start in about 4th and did the same and came round the first bend into 2nd. I had good speed so I managed to get in the lead on the first lap. The whole weekend was good especially with the dramas we had in the week. We had three bikes in a million pieces, so to bring it all together and get on the box was a great way to repay the team after all of their hard work this week.
“We are quite a small team, and they have worked overtime to get my stuff ready for the weekend, so hats off to the team they did an awesome job this week, and Matt Norris, Luke’s Dad really helped us out with getting some engines built up.
“After all the stresses of the week I was really happy to go there and do what we did. All of my races were good, my speed was good, my riding was good we just had a few little problems which weren’t down to the team, more me making a few wrong decisions, like cutting down my bars which gave me cramp in my hands, which maybe was a stupid decision leading up to the race. I feel that it sacrificed a bit too, as I feel I could have at least battled with Jake for the win in the first race, or got second overall.
“It was awesome to see so many people at Canada Heights, I have never seen so many people there, it was good for the sport and it shows the sport is still going in the right direction in the UK.”
Paul Mason – Team Manager
“It was a very successful day for the team and a very solid performance from Elliott. He made some good passes round the first and second corner’s to put him in good positions from the start and he rode really well to stay there, in what is a very strong British Championship line up , so to be where we are at the championship and in the races is brilliant really.
“There are certain tracks in the series that will favour Elliott and certain tracks that will favour the others, but I feel as though Elliott is riding fantastic, and we just need to keep the machinery tip top and he will be fine. We are running against GP riders now so to be in the running with these guys, and for the lap times to be where they are is fantastic, we just need to work on the intensity and continue that pace. Elliott has the ability to do that and the team is behind him 100%”.
This points haul moves Elliott up to 4th in the MX1 standings and in real title contention as the Championship moves onto his home round at Blaxhall in Suffolk on the 6th May.