European 300 champ Mike Kras showed his true class when he won both motos in the first British two-stroke championship round, held alongside the Maxxis British championship, at Canada Heights on Sunday. The GL12 rider wasted little time in getting to the front in the opener and was unchallenged as he pulled away to the moto win from Honda men Nev Bradshaw and Lewis Trickett. He repeated the feat second time out.

“The second heat was a lot better for me than the first heat,” admitted the tall Dutchman. “The first heat I got a holeshot but I rode really tight and didn’t feel good on the bike and made a few mistakes.

“In the second heat I knew my pace was good and had no arm-pump so I could build my race a little better. I’m looking forward to Hawkstone Park – that’s my type of track.”

Former British MX2 title contender Nev Bradshaw was back in action and was sporting an ear-to-ear grin after ripping to a pair of second places on his 2002 CR250.

“It’s been lots of fun riding around on that old thing,” he said. “I’ve got a good feeling with the bike and it’s my favourite track so I know it like the back of my hand. The crowd got into it and that’s what we’re here for, to put on a good show.”

Third overall was Lewis Trickett who, after struggling with injury in 2016, was happy to be back racing and running near the front. he was on a modified 2007 Honda.

“My goal was to come here and get top three and get a good base to build from because I know I’m not quite as fit as I should be yet,” he said. “I had some problems in qualifying and only managed to get a few laps in so it was a bit stressful this morning.

“I still qualified in fourth so I got a good gate position, two top three starts and hung in there as long as I could. I made some silly mistakes here and there and Nev and Mike are really on it so it was hard to keep the tow but I’m happy with two thirds – it’s a good start.”